CVE-2022-4993: HTML::FormHandler versions before 0.410000 for Perl allow attacker selected method dispatch and resource exhaustion because _apply_actions and add_error use error message text built from request data as a Locale::Maketext bracket notation template
HTML::FormHandler versions before 0.410000 for Perl allow attacker selected method dispatch and resource exhaustion because _apply_actions and add_error use error message text built from request data as a Locale::Maketext bracket notation template.
add_error hands its first argument to the language handle as the Locale::Maketext message key, and the default handle's lexicon sets `_AUTO`, so a string that is not a lexicon entry is compiled as a bracket notation template instead of being looked up. In a bracket group the first token names a method called on the language handle and the remaining tokens are its arguments.
Three kinds of text the library did not author reach that position. _apply_actions installs a `$SIG{__WARN__}` handler that stores the warning text in `$error_message`, and a captured warning survives a successful action, so a field carrying a numeric transform turns `Argument "[sprintf,%50000000d,0]" isn't numeric` into the template; a warning quotes the submitted value verbatim, so the group is well formed and dispatches. `$error_message ||= $tobj->validate($new_value)` takes a type constraint's own failure message, which renders the rejected value through a partial dumper in bracket and comma form (Devel::PartialDump when Moose can load it, Type::Tiny's own dumper always), so a field with `apply => [ Str ]` given a parameter sent more than once, which arrives as an array, gets `Reference ["a","b"] did not pass type constraint "Str"` as its template, from a request that carries no bracket character of its own. A coercion or transform exception reaches it the same way. Beyond those, a validator whose message contains the field value puts that value in the template directly, and add_error replaces the message list with the contents of an arrayref first argument (`@message = @{$message[0]} if ref $message[0] eq 'ARRAY'`), so a value arriving as an array fills the argument slots from the same request as well.
A malformed group such as `[0]` makes the compile croak, and HTML::FormHandler::I18N::maketext and add_error each re-raise that as a die, so process() throws. A well formed group naming sprintf reaches CORE::sprintf with an attacker chosen field width. Any caller that applies a type constraint or a transform to an untrusted field, or whose validator passes an untrusted field value to add_error, can be made to throw an unhandled exception out of process(), or to allocate an arbitrary amount of memory in one request, and an application whose language handle subclass defines side effecting public methods makes those callable with attacker chosen arguments. The dumped type constraint message is bounded to the exception, because both dumpers quote non-numeric elements so the method slot is never an attacker chosen name. The built-in messages pass fixed templates with the value in an argument slot, where it stays inert, and the built-in field types attach explicit message callbacks, so neither is affected.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A vulnerable Perl form-processing library can mistake attacker-controlled error text for executable localization instructions. A remote, unauthenticated request may crash form processing, consume excessive memory, or invoke public methods exposed by a customized language handler. Impact depends on how the application validates and transforms untrusted fields.
Executive priority
Prioritize rapid remediation for internet-facing applications that process untrusted forms with this library. The issue can be triggered without authentication and may disrupt service or invoke application-specific methods. Lower urgency only after confirming the package is absent, remediated, or used exclusively outside the affected paths.
Technical view
HTML::FormHandler before 0.410000 passes certain warning, type-constraint, transform, coercion, or validator messages into Locale::Maketext as templates. Bracket notation can trigger method dispatch; malformed templates can throw exceptions, while formatting operations can exhaust memory. Customized language-handle methods may introduce additional side effects.
Likely exposure
Exposure exists where a Perl application uses a vulnerable HTML::FormHandler version and applies constraints, coercions, transforms, or affected custom validators to request-controlled fields. Built-in messages using fixed templates and built-in field types with explicit callbacks are reported unaffected.
Exploitation context
The supplied record describes network-reachable, low-complexity, unauthenticated exploitation without user interaction and assigns CVSS 9.1. However, it is not listed as KEV, and the supplied sources provide no evidence of active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The broadest attacker-selected method dispatch arises when warning or validator text includes supplied bracket notation. Type-constraint dumpers limit control of the method name, although their messages can still become templates. Exact consequences beyond exceptions and memory exhaustion depend on application-defined language-handle methods. No exploit-in-the-wild evidence is supplied.
Mitigation direction
Upgrade HTML::FormHandler to version 0.410000 or later; use the referenced 0.410001 release where compatible.
Review custom validators and language-handle subclasses for attacker-controlled error text or side-effecting public methods.
Until upgraded, restrict untrusted inputs reaching affected constraints, coercions, transforms, and custom error handling.
Check vendor release notes and patch details before deployment.
Validation and detection
Inventory Perl dependency manifests and resolved versions for HTML::FormHandler releases earlier than 0.410000.
Trace request-controlled fields into constraints, coercions, transforms, custom validators, and add_error calls.
Identify customized language-handle subclasses and review their public methods for side effects.
After upgrading, run regression tests covering rejected, repeated, malformed, and unusually large form values.
Confirm production dependency resolution uses the remediated version, not an older transitive or vendored copy.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-1336: Exact CWE lookup
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Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
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1CVSS vectors
9Timeline events
1ADP providers
8Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: yesTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-1336 · source CWE mapping
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code ('Unsafe Reflection')
Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code ('Unsafe Reflection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.