CVE-2017-11692 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2017-11692 article provides insights into a vulnerability in yaml-cpp versions 0.5.3 and earlier that could lead to a denial of service attack.

Understanding CVE-2017-11692

The vulnerability in the "Token& Scanner::peek" function of yaml-cpp versions 0.5.3 and earlier can be exploited by malicious actors to trigger a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2017-11692?

The "Token& Scanner::peek" function in scanner.cpp of yaml-cpp versions 0.5.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service, resulting in an assertion failure and application termination by supplying the string '!2'.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11692

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to disrupt the normal operation of applications using affected yaml-cpp versions, potentially leading to service downtime and application crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11692

The technical details of the CVE-2017-11692 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the "Token& Scanner::peek" function in scanner.cpp of yaml-cpp versions 0.5.3 and earlier, allowing attackers to trigger a denial of service attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: yaml-cpp
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: 0.5.3 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing the string '!2' to the vulnerable function, leading to an assertion failure and application termination.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2017-11692, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update yaml-cpp to a non-vulnerable version.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by the yaml-cpp project.