CVE-2017-10790 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2017-10790 was published on July 2, 2017, and affects GNU Libtasn1 up to version 4.12. The vulnerability in the _asn1_check_identifier function can lead to a remote denial of service attack through a NULL pointer dereference.

Understanding CVE-2017-10790

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in GNU Libtasn1 that can result in crashing and a NULL pointer dereference when processing manipulated input.

What is CVE-2017-10790?

The _asn1_check_identifier function in GNU Libtasn1 up to version 4.12 can crash and cause a NULL pointer dereference due to manipulated input, potentially leading to a remote denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2017-10790

This vulnerability has the potential to be exploited for a remote denial of service attack, impacting the availability of systems utilizing affected versions of GNU Libtasn1.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-10790

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The _asn1_check_identifier function in GNU Libtasn1 through version 4.12 causes a NULL pointer dereference and crash when reading crafted input that triggers assignment of a NULL value within an asn1_node structure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: n/a
Vendor: n/a
Versions affected: up to version 4.12

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is triggered by processing manipulated input that results in assigning a NULL value to an element within the asn1_node structure, leading to a crash and potential denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-10790 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by the vendor promptly.
Implement network-level protections to mitigate potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patched versions.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Check for security advisories from the vendor and apply recommended patches.
Monitor for any new developments or updates related to this CVE for additional protection.