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TI-2021-22657 Aliases GHSA-gwj5-3vfq-q992

Import loops in account imports, nats-server DoS

Priority LOW 38CWE-400Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
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Privileges required
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User interaction
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Attack complexity
—
Impact type
Denial of service
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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Fix status
Fixed

No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-400.

Summary

(This advisory is canonically <https://advisories.nats.io/CVE/CVE-2020-28466.txt>) ## Problem Description An export/import cycle between accounts could crash the nats-server, after consuming CPU and memory. This issue was fixed publicly in <https://github.com/nats-io/nats-server/pull/1731> in November 2020. The need to call this out as a security issue was highlighted by `snyk.io` and we are grateful for their assistance in doing so. Organizations which run a NATS service providing access to accounts run by untrusted third parties are affected. See below for an important caveat if running such a service. ## Affected versions #### NATS Server * Version 2 prior to 2.2.0 + 2.0.0 through and including 2.1.9 are vulnerable. * fixed with nats-io/nats-server PR 1731, commit 2e3c226729 ## Impact The nats-server could be killed, after consuming resources. ## Workaround The import cycle requires at least two accounts to work; if you have open account sign-up, then restricting new account sign-up might hinder an attacker. ## Solution Upgrade the nats-server. ## Caveat on NATS with untrusted users Running a NATS service which is exposed to untrusted users presents a heightened risk. Any remote execution flaw or equivalent seriousness, or denial-of-service by unauthenticated users, will lead to prompt releases by the NATS maintainers. Fixes for denial of service issues with no threat of remote execution, when limited to account holders, are likely to just be committed to the main development branch with no special attention. Those who are running such services are encouraged to build regularly from git.

Why it matters now

Fix Fixed github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 (Go): 2.2.0

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
—github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 (Go)before 2.2.02.2.0Patch availableGHSA-gwj5-3vfq-q992
  • github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 (Go) Vendor— Affected before 2.2.0 Fixed in 2.2.0 Patch available GHSA-gwj5-3vfq-q992

Remediation

  • Fix · GHSA-gwj5-3vfq-q992 github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 (Go) Fixed in 2.2.0 Advisory →

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-gwj5-3vfq-q992

References

Sources

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