CVE-2021-3737
Public on
Last Modified:
Description
A flaw was found in python. An improperly handled HTTP response in the HTTP client code of python may allow a remote attacker, who controls the HTTP server, to make the client script enter an infinite loop, consuming CPU time. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.
Statement
Given the flaw is in the client side and it requires automatically connecting to a compromised but trusted server or manually connecting to a malicious server, the Impact of this flaw has been set to Low. It requires indeed unlikely circumstances to be exploited and when it is it is enough to stop the client or restart it.
This issue did not affect the versions of rh-python38-python as shipped with Red Hat Software Collections 3 as they already contain the patch.
Additional information
- Bugzilla 1995162: python: urllib: HTTP client possible infinite loop on a 100 Continue response
- CWE-835->CWE-400: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop') leads to Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CVE-2021-3737
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
| Red Hat | NVD | |
|---|---|---|
CVSS v3 Base Score | 6.5 | 7.5 |
Attack Vector | Network | Network |
Attack Complexity | Low | Low |
Privileges Required | None | None |
User Interaction | Required | None |
Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged |
Confidentiality Impact | None | None |
Integrity Impact | None | None |
Availability Impact | High | High |
CVSS v3 Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Red Hat CVSS v3 Score Explanation
User Interaction (UI) set to Required (R) because the flaw is in the HTTP client code, thus the attack scenario that was considered is that of a user running a python script/tool to erroneously connect to a malicious HTTP server. Libraries or tools that do not require user interaction are assumed to connect to trusted servers which would need to be compromised by an attacker first in order to trigger this vulnerability.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Amplification
An infinite loop will cause unexpected consumption of resources, such as CPU cycles or memory. The software's operation may slow down, or cause a long time to respond.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Resource Consumption (Other)
If an attacker can trigger the allocation of the limited resources, but the number or size of the resources is not controlled, then the most common result is denial of service. This would prevent valid users from accessing the product, and it could potentially have an impact on the surrounding environment, i.e., the product may slow down, crash due to unhandled errors, or lock out legitimate users. For example, a memory exhaustion attack against an application could slow down the application as well as its host operating system.
Access Control,Other
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism; Other
In some cases it may be possible to force the product to "fail open" in the event of resource exhaustion. The state of the product -- and possibly the security functionality - may then be compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?
My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?
What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?
What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?
What is a mitigation?
I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?
Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
