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Use of software with known vulnerabilities in environments

Need​

Regular software updates and patch management

Context​

  • Usage of C# for building robust and scalable applications
  • Usage of System for accessing and manipulating system-level resources and functionality
  • Usage of Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc for building web applications using the ASP.NET Core MVC framework

Description​

Non compliant code​

using System;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

namespace VulnerableApp.Controllers
{
    public class HomeController : Controller
    {
        public IActionResult Index()
        {
            return View();
        }
    }
}

In the above code, the application is using ASP.NET Core 2.0.0 which is an outdated version of the framework. This version of the framework has known vulnerabilities which have been addressed in the later versions. The vulnerabilities can be exploited by an attacker to compromise the system.

The project file specifically calls for version 2.0.0 of Microsoft.AspNetCore.All which includes the entire ASP.NET Core framework. This package has been deprecated in the newer versions of the framework due to its large attack surface. The newer versions recommend using Microsoft.AspNetCore.App which includes only the necessary dependencies reducing the attack surface.

This makes the application vulnerable to all the known vulnerabilities of the ASP.NET Core 2.0.0. The application should be updated to the latest version of the framework to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

Steps​

  • Identify the software or dependency with known vulnerabilities
  • Update the software or dependency to the latest version that does not have the known vulnerabilities
  • Ensure that the updated software or dependency is compatible with the ASP.NET Core application
  • Test the application thoroughly after the update to ensure it functions correctly

Compliant code​

using System;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

namespace VulnerableApp.Controllers
{
    public class HomeController : Controller
    {
        public IActionResult Index()
        {
            return View();
        }
    }
}

The above code represents a basic controller in an ASP.NET Core application. The vulnerability does not lie in the code itself, but in the software or dependencies that the application might be using. If the application is using a version of a software or dependency that has known vulnerabilities, it exposes the application to potential security risks.

To fix this vulnerability, follow these steps:

  1. Identify the software or dependency with known vulnerabilities: Check the versions of all the software and dependencies that your application is using. You can use tools like OWASP Dependency-Check or Snyk to identify known vulnerabilities in the components you are using.

  2. Update the software or dependency to the latest version: Once you have identified the vulnerable components, update them to the latest version that does not have the known vulnerabilities. In .NET Core, you can do this by updating the version number in the .csproj file or using the NuGet package manager.

  3. Ensure that the updated software or dependency is compatible with the ASP.NET Core application: After updating the components, make sure that they are compatible with your application. Check the documentation of the components for any breaking changes and adjust your code if necessary.

  4. Test the application thoroughly after the update: After updating the components and adjusting your code, test your application thoroughly to ensure it functions correctly. This includes running unit tests, integration tests, and manual tests.

By following these steps, you can fix the vulnerability related to the use of software or dependencies with known vulnerabilities.

References​

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