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Improper resource allocation

Description​

The system allocates unnecessary resources due to the use of improper programming practices or inefficient algorithms. Alternatively, the allocation can be controlled by an external source (e.g., user input), and hence, requests that consume an enormous amount of resources are processed without any restriction.

Impact​

Exhauste the servers resources and thus, prevent other users from accessing the server.

Recommendation​

Use stable and optimized libraries to perform functions without a large computational expense.

Threat​

Authenticated attacker from the Internet.

Expected Remediation Time​

⌚ 30 minutes.

Score​

Default score using CVSS 3.1. It may change depending on the context of the vulnerability.

Base​

  • Attack vector: N
  • Attack complexity: L
  • Privileges required: N
  • User interaction: N
  • Scope: U
  • Confidentiality: N
  • Integrity: N
  • Availability: L

Temporal​

  • Exploit code madurity: X
  • Remediation level: X
  • Report confidence: X

Result​

  • Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
  • Score:
    • Base: 5.3
    • Temporal: 5.3
  • Severity:
    • Base: Medium
    • Temporal: Medium

Code Examples​

Compliant code​

Efficient algorithms should be used to handle data

public static void bubbleSort(int[] numbers) {
  System.out.printf("Unsorted array in Java :%s %n", Arrays.toString(numbers));
  for (int i = 0; i < numbers.length; i++) {
    for (int j = numbers.length -1; j > i; j--) {
      if (numbers[j] < numbers[j - 1]) {
        swap(numbers, j, j-1);
      }
    }
  }
  System.out.printf("Sorted Array using Bubble sort algorithm :%s %n",
    Arrays.toString(numbers));
}

Non compliant code​

An improper sorting algorithm is an example of improper resource allocation

public class QuickSortDemo {
  public static void main(String args[unsorted]) {
    System.out.println("Unsorted array :" + Arrays.toString(unsorted));

    QuickSort algorithm = new QuickSort();
    algorithm.sort(unsorted);

    // printing sorted array
    System.out.println("Sorted array :" + Arrays.toString(unsorted));
  }
}

Requirements​

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