tornado: multipart split() creates huge temp list before max_parts check -> memory amplification DoS (httputil.py:34)
Key facts
- Attack vector
- —
- 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-770.
Summary
## Description ### Summary `parse_multipart_form_data` (httputil.py:34) calls `data.split(b"--"+boundary+b"\r\n")` **before** the `max_parts` check (:35). A 600KB body with 100k parts creates a 100k-element transient list first, then rejects transient memory amplification (each split element is a copy). Pre-auth HTTP DoS. ### Root cause ```python parts = data[:final_boundary_index].split(b"--" + boundary + b"\r\n") # :34 huge list first if len(parts) > config.max_parts: # :35 check after raise HTTPInputError("multipart/form-data has too many parts") ``` ### PoC gist: https://gist.github.com/afldl/649861f25d39b53b7edbe0298e171617 `poc.py` + `output.txt` (100k parts from 600KB transient list). ### Fix Count separators without materializing the list (e.g. `data.count(b"--"+boundary)` first). ### Credit Reported by afldl, 2026-07.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | tornado (PyPI) | before 6.5.8 | 6.5.8 | Patch available | GHSA-8423-8fgw-73vq |
- tornado (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 6.5.8 Fixed in 6.5.8 Patch available GHSA-8423-8fgw-73vq
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-8423-8fgw-73vq tornado (PyPI) Fixed in 6.5.8 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-8423-8fgw-73vq
References
Other 6
- https://github.com/tornadoweb/tornado/security/advisories/GHSA-8423-8fgw-73vq
- https://github.com/tornadoweb/tornado/pull/3704
- https://github.com/tornadoweb/tornado/commit/de85b3f87446e323e881bbaa3d5a74f4b76e5f05
- https://gist.github.com/afldl/649861f25d39b53b7edbe0298e171617
- https://github.com/tornadoweb/tornado
- https://github.com/tornadoweb/tornado/releases/tag/v6.5.8
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences