Vulnerabilities in pkg:maven/org.eclipse.jetty.http3/http3-qpack

PACKAGE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-wgh7-54f2-x98r
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-36478 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) http/2 hpack integer overflow and vulnerability (CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound) affecting Http2 hpack libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves http/2 hpack integer overflow and buffer allocation. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 10.0.16, 9.4.53, 11.0.16.

1 Known Advisory Record(s)
Package Vulnerability Intelligence

pkg:maven/org.eclipse.jetty.http3/http3-qpack

1 Known Advisory Record(s)

Vulnerability advisories affecting package pkg:maven/org.eclipse.jetty.http3/http3-qpack. Select an advisory below to view technical details or fixes.

Advisory ID CVE / NVD Severity Summary
GHSA-wgh7-54f2-x98r CVE-2023-36478 HIGH HTTP/2 HPACK integer overflow and buffer allocation

CVE-2023-36478 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-36478
GHSA Identifier GHSA-wgh7-54f2-x98r
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound
Affected Product Http2 hpack
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2023-36478

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Http2 hpack dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack fixed: 10.0.16
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.eclipse.jetty.http2</groupId>
    <artifactId>http2-hpack</artifactId>
    <version>10.0.16</version>
</dependency>
org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack fixed: 9.4.53
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.eclipse.jetty.http2</groupId>
    <artifactId>http2-hpack</artifactId>
    <version>9.4.53</version>
</dependency>
org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack fixed: 11.0.16
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.eclipse.jetty.http2</groupId>
    <artifactId>http2-hpack</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.16</version>
</dependency>
org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack fixed: 10.0.16
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.eclipse.jetty.http3</groupId>
    <artifactId>http3-qpack</artifactId>
    <version>10.0.16</version>
</dependency>
org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack fixed: 11.0.16
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.eclipse.jetty.http3</groupId>
    <artifactId>http3-qpack</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.16</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.eclipse.jetty.http2

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-36478, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.eclipse.jetty.http2

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Http2 hpack in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 10.0.16), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.eclipse.jetty.http2 command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound, where the product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. this occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. when this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number. In Http2 hpack, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

An integer overflow in `MetaDataBuilder.checkSize` allows for HTTP/2 HPACK header values to exceed their size limit. In `MetaDataBuilder.java`, the following code determines if a header name or value exceeds the size limit, and throws an exception if the limit is exceeded: ```java 291 public void checkSize(int length, boolean huffman) throws SessionException 292 { 293 // Apply a huffman fudge factor 294 if (huffman) 295 length = (length * 4) / 3; 296 if ((_size + length) > _maxSize) 297 throw new HpackException.SessionException("Header too large %d > %d", _size + length, _maxSize); 298 } ``` However, when length is very large and huffman is true, the multiplication by 4 in line 295 will overflow, and length will become negative. (_size+length) will now be negative, and the check on line 296 will not be triggered. Furthermore, `MetaDataBuilder.checkSize` allows for user-entered HPACK header value sizes to be negative, potentially leading to a very large buffer allocation later on when the user-entered size is multiplied by 2. In `MetaDataBuilder.java`, the following code determines if a header name or value exceeds the size limit, and throws an exception if the limit is exceeded: ```java public void checkSize(int length, boolean huffman) throws SessionException { // Apply a huffman fudge factor if (huffman) length = (length * 4) / 3; if ((_size + length) > _maxSize) throw new HpackException.SessionException("Header too large %d > %d", _size + length, _maxSize); } ``` However, no exception is thrown in the case of a negative size. Later, in `Huffman.decode`, the user-entered length is multiplied by 2 before allocating a buffer: ```java public static String decode(ByteBuffer buffer, int length) throws HpackException.CompressionException { Utf8StringBuilder utf8 = new Utf8StringBuilder(length * 2); // ... ``` This means that if a user provides a negative length value (or, more precisely, a length value which, when multiplied by the 4/3 fudge factor, is negative), and this length value is a very large positive number when multiplied by 2, then the user can cause a very large buffer to be allocated on the server. ### Exploit Scenario 1 An attacker repeatedly sends HTTP messages with the HPACK header 0x00ffffffffff02. Each time this header is decoded: + `HpackDecode.decode` will determine that a Huffman-coded value of length 805306494 needs to be decoded. + `MetaDataBuilder.checkSize` will approve this length. + Huffman.decode will allocate a 1.6 GB string array. + Huffman.decode will have a buffer overflow error, and the array will be deallocated the next time garbage collection happens. (Note: this can be delayed by appending valid huffman-coded characters to the end of the header.) Depending on the timing of garbage collection, the number of threads, and the amount of memory available on the server, this may cause the server to run out of memory. ### Exploit Scenario 2 An attacker repeatedly sends HTTP messages with the HPACK header 0x00ff8080ffff0b. Each time this header is decoded: + HpackDecode.decode will determine that a Huffman-coded value of length -1073758081 needs to be decoded + MetaDataBuilder.checkSize will approve this length + The number will be multiplied by 2 to get 2147451134, and Huffman.decode will allocate a 2.1 GB string array + Huffman.decode will have a buffer overflow error, and the array will be deallocated the next time garbage collection happens (Note that this deallocation can be delayed by adding valid Huffman-coded characters to the end of the header) Depending on the timing of garbage collection, the number of threads, and the amount of memory available on the server, this may cause the server to run out of memory. ### Impact Users of HTTP/2 can be impacted by a remote denial of service attack. ### Patches Fixed in Jetty 10.0.16 and Jetty 11.0.16 Fixed in Jetty 9.4.53 Jetty 12.x is unaffected. ### Workarounds No workarounds possible, only patched versions of Jetty. ### References * https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/pull/9634

CVE-2023-36478 Affected Http2 hpack Versions

5 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
10.0.169.4.5311.0.16
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack
Maven
≥ 10.0.0
< 10.0.16
10.0.16
org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack
Maven
≥ 9.3.0
< 9.4.53
9.4.53
org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack
Maven
≥ 11.0.0
< 11.0.16
11.0.16
org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack
Maven
≥ 10.0.0
< 10.0.16
10.0.16
org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack
Maven
≥ 11.0.0
< 11.0.16
11.0.16

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-36478?
CVE-2023-36478 is a security vulnerability in Http2 hpack involving HTTP/2 HPACK integer overflow and buffer allocation under CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound.
Which Http2 hpack versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 10.0.16, 9.4.53, 11.0.16 across affected packages: org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack, org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack.
What version fixes CVE-2023-36478?
Upgrading to 10.0.16, 9.4.53, 11.0.16 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is http2-hpack affected?
Yes, org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack is affected in releases prior to 10.0.16, 9.4.53, 11.0.16. Upgrade your dependency to 10.0.16, 9.4.53, 11.0.16 or later.
Is http3-qpack affected?
Yes, org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack is affected in releases prior to 10.0.16, 11.0.16. Upgrade your dependency to 10.0.16, 11.0.16 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-36478?
CVE-2023-36478 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-36478?
CVE-2023-36478 is classified under CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound (The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. When this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-36478?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.eclipse.jetty.http2'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-wgh7-54f2-x98r",
  "modified" : "2024-06-21T21:33:57Z",
  "published" : "2023-10-10T21:16:23Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-36478" ],
  "summary" : "HTTP/2 HPACK integer overflow and buffer allocation",
  "details" : "An integer overflow in `MetaDataBuilder.checkSize` allows for HTTP/2 HPACK header values to\nexceed their size limit. \n\nIn `MetaDataBuilder.java`, the following code determines if a header name or value\nexceeds the size limit, and throws an exception if the limit is exceeded:\n\n```java\n291 public void checkSize(int length, boolean huffman) throws SessionException\n292 {\n293 // Apply a huffman fudge factor\n294 if (huffman)\n295 length = (length * 4) / 3;\n296 if ((_size + length) > _maxSize)\n297 throw new HpackException.SessionException(\"Header too large %d > %d\",\n_size + length, _maxSize);\n298 }\n```\n\nHowever, when length is very large and huffman is true, the multiplication by 4 in line 295\nwill overflow, and length will become negative. (_size+length) will now be negative, and\nthe check on line 296 will not be triggered.\n\nFurthermore, `MetaDataBuilder.checkSize` allows for user-entered HPACK header value sizes to be\nnegative, potentially leading to a very large buffer allocation later on when the\nuser-entered size is multiplied by 2.\n\nIn `MetaDataBuilder.java`, the following code determines if a header name or value\nexceeds the size limit, and throws an exception if the limit is exceeded:\n\n```java\npublic void checkSize(int length, boolean huffman) throws SessionException\n{\n// Apply a huffman fudge factor\nif (huffman)\nlength = (length * 4) / 3;\nif ((_size + length) > _maxSize)\nthrow new HpackException.SessionException(\"Header too large %d > %d\", _size\n+ length, _maxSize);\n}\n```\n\nHowever, no exception is thrown in the case of a negative size.\nLater, in `Huffman.decode`, the user-entered length is multiplied by 2 before allocating a buffer:\n\n```java\npublic static String decode(ByteBuffer buffer, int length) throws\nHpackException.CompressionException\n{\nUtf8StringBuilder utf8 = new Utf8StringBuilder(length * 2);\n// ...\n```\n\nThis means that if a user provides a negative length value (or, more precisely, a length\nvalue which, when multiplied by the 4/3 fudge factor, is negative), and this length value is a\nvery large positive number when multiplied by 2, then the user can cause a very large\nbuffer to be allocated on the server.\n\n\n### Exploit Scenario 1\nAn attacker repeatedly sends HTTP messages with the HPACK header 0x00ffffffffff02.\nEach time this header is decoded:\n+ `HpackDecode.decode` will determine that a Huffman-coded value of length\n805306494 needs to be decoded.\n+ `MetaDataBuilder.checkSize` will approve this length.\n+ Huffman.decode will allocate a 1.6 GB string array.\n+ Huffman.decode will have a buffer overflow error, and the array will be deallocated\nthe next time garbage collection happens. (Note: this can be delayed by appending\nvalid huffman-coded characters to the end of the header.)\n\nDepending on the timing of garbage collection, the number of threads, and the amount of\nmemory available on the server, this may cause the server to run out of memory.\n\n\n### Exploit Scenario 2\nAn attacker repeatedly sends HTTP messages with the HPACK header 0x00ff8080ffff0b. Each\ntime this header is decoded:\n + HpackDecode.decode will determine that a Huffman-coded value of length\n-1073758081 needs to be decoded\n +  MetaDataBuilder.checkSize will approve this length\n + The number will be multiplied by 2 to get 2147451134, and Huffman.decode will\nallocate a 2.1 GB string array\n + Huffman.decode will have a buffer overflow error, and the array will be deallocated\nthe next time garbage collection happens (Note that this deallocation can be\ndelayed by adding valid Huffman-coded characters to the end of the header)\n\nDepending on the timing of garbage collection, the number of threads, and the amount of\nmemory available on the server, this may cause the server to run out of memory.\n\n### Impact\nUsers of HTTP/2 can be impacted by a remote denial of service attack.\n\n### Patches\nFixed in Jetty 10.0.16 and Jetty 11.0.16\nFixed in Jetty 9.4.53\nJetty 12.x is unaffected.\n\n### Workarounds\nNo workarounds possible, only patched versions of Jetty.\n\n### References\n* https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/pull/9634",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "10.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "10.0.16"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 10.0.15"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "11.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "11.0.16"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 11.0.15"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "10.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "10.0.16"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 10.0.15"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.eclipse.jetty.http3:http3-qpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "11.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "11.0.16"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 11.0.15"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.eclipse.jetty.http2:http2-hpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "9.3.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "9.4.53"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 9.4.52"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/security/advisories/GHSA-wgh7-54f2-x98r"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/jetty/jetty.project/security/advisories/GHSA-wgh7-54f2-x98r"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36478"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/pull/9634"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/releases/tag/jetty-10.0.16"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/releases/tag/jetty-11.0.16"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/jetty.project/releases/tag/jetty-9.4.53.v20231009"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/10/msg00045.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231116-0011"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240621-0006"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5540"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/18/4"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-190" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-10-10T21:16:23Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-10-10T17:15:11Z"
  }
}