pi-lens/rules/tree-sitter-queries/typescript/unsafe-regex.yml

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# Unsafe Regex Construction
# Detects dynamic regex construction that can lead to ReDoS
id: unsafe-regex
name: Dynamic Regex Construction
severity: warning
category: security
defect_class: injection
inline_tier: warning
language: typescript

message: "Dynamic regex from user input — can cause ReDoS (Regular Expression Denial of Service)"

description: |
  Building regular expressions from user input or dynamic strings can
  lead to ReDoS attacks. An attacker can craft input that causes
  catastrophic backtracking.
  
  ❌ NEVER:
  const regex = new RegExp(userInput, 'i');  // ReDoS risk!
  const pattern = new RegExp(`\\b${term}\\b`);  // Also risky!
  
  ✅ SAFE ALTERNATIVES:
  1. Escape special regex characters before interpolation
  2. Use string methods instead of regex when possible
  3. Validate input against a whitelist
  
  Example escaping:
  function escapeRegExp(string) {
    return string.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\$&');
  }
  const regex = new RegExp(escapeRegExp(userInput), 'i');

query: |
  (new_expression
    constructor: (identifier) @CTOR
    (#eq? @CTOR "RegExp")
    arguments: (arguments
      (template_string
        (template_substitution) @INTERPOLATION) @PATTERN)
    (#not-match? @INTERPOLATION "escape|Escape|replace"))

metavars:
  - CTOR
  - INTERPOLATION
  - PATTERN

post_filter: unsafe_regex_dynamic_identifier

has_fix: false

tags:
  - security
  - regex
  - redos
  - injection

examples:
  bad: |
    // ReDoS vulnerability!
    const searchRegex = new RegExp(`\\b${userSearch}\\b`, 'gi');
    
    // Also vulnerable
    const validator = new RegExp(req.body.pattern);
  
  good: |
    // Safe: Escape special characters
    function escapeRegExp(string: string): string {
      return string.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\$&');
    }
    const safeRegex = new RegExp(escapeRegExp(userSearch), 'i');
    
    // Safe: Use string methods
    const found = text.toLowerCase().includes(userSearch.toLowerCase());
    
    // Safe: Static regex
    const emailRegex = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;