CVE-2017-10791 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-10791, an Integer overflow vulnerability in GNU PSPP before 0.11.0, potentially leading to crashes and remote denial of service attacks. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
GNU PSPP before version 0.11.0 is affected by an Integer overflow vulnerability in the hash_int function of the libpspp library. This flaw can lead to a crash and potentially enable a remote denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2017-10791
This CVE entry highlights a specific vulnerability in GNU PSPP that could have severe consequences if exploited.
What is CVE-2017-10791?
The hash_int function in the libpspp library of GNU PSPP prior to version 0.11.0 suffers from an Integer overflow vulnerability. This issue can trigger a crash in the library code when attempting to convert invalid SPSS data into CSV format. An attacker could exploit this weakness to launch a remote denial of service attack by providing specially crafted input.
The Impact of CVE-2017-10791
The vulnerability poses a risk of crashing the library code and potentially enabling a remote denial of service attack, affecting the availability of the system and its services.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-10791
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE entry.
Vulnerability Description
The Integer overflow vulnerability in the hash_int function of the libpspp library in GNU PSPP before version 0.11.0 can result in a crash within the library code when processing invalid SPSS data for CSV conversion.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected System: GNU PSPP
- Affected Versions: Before 0.11.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by providing specially crafted input to trigger the Integer overflow, leading to a crash and potentially enabling a remote denial of service attack.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-10791 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update GNU PSPP to version 0.11.0 or later to mitigate the Integer overflow vulnerability.
- Monitor and restrict network access to critical systems to prevent potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent malformed data from causing system crashes.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches and updates provided by GNU PSPP to address the Integer overflow vulnerability and enhance system security.