USN-6754-1: nghttp2 vulnerabilities

Security vulnerabilities in nghttp2, a popular implementation of the HTTP/2 protocol, have been identified and pose a serious threat to systems running specific versions of Ubuntu. These vulnerabilities can enable a remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) by consuming server resources excessively. The affected Ubuntu versions are 16.04 LTS and 18.04 LTS. It’s imperative for system administrators to understand and mitigate these vulnerabilities promptly.

Understanding the Vulnerabilities

  • CVE-2019-9511: This vulnerability involves manipulation of window size and stream prioritization, enabling attackers to deplete system resources by causing the server to queue data inefficiently.
  • CVE-2019-9513: Targets the resource allocation functionality by exploiting priority tree churns induced by the attacker, leading to high CPU usage.
  • CVE-2023-44487: Exploited in the wild, this flaw arises from the mishandling of request cancellations, which could reset many streams simultaneously, rapidly exhausting server resources.
  • CVE-2024-28182: Enables an attacker to send an unlimited number of HTTP/2 CONTINUATION frames, causing excessive CPU usage and significant slowdown by overloading the service with unnecessary data processing requests.

These vulnerabilities underline the necessity of implementing robust security measures and keeping systems up-to-date. Failing to address these flaws can lead to service disruptions and compromise system integrity and data security.

Mitigating the Risks

System administrators are encouraged to apply all security patches related to these vulnerabilities. One way to ensure consistent management and application of these security patches across Linux servers is through automated patch management platforms. For example, Linux Patch offers comprehensive solutions tailored for effective patch management, potentially mitigating risks associated with the nghttp2 vulnerabilities.

Staying informed about vulnerabilities and maintaining an up-to-date system are crucial steps in safeguarding your digital infrastructure against attacks. Regularly scheduling patches and monitoring your systems with reliable tools helps enhance security and protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

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