CVE-2017-12481 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A crafted file can cause a denial of service (stack-based buffer overflow and application crash) or potentially have other unspecified impacts via the find_option function in option.cc in Ledger 3.1.1, making it vulnerable to remote attackers.

Understanding CVE-2017-12481

The vulnerability in Ledger 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to exploit a denial of service through a crafted file.

What is CVE-2017-12481?

The CVE-2017-12481 vulnerability in Ledger 3.1.1 enables attackers to trigger a denial of service by exploiting a stack-based buffer overflow and application crash using a specially crafted file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12481

Attackers can remotely exploit the vulnerability to cause a denial of service on systems running Ledger 3.1.1.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12481

The technical details of the CVE-2017-12481 vulnerability in Ledger 3.1.1.

Vulnerability Description

The find_option function in option.cc in Ledger 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Ledger 3.1.1
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by attackers through a crafted file, leading to a denial of service and potential unspecified impacts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2017-12481 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ledger to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
Implement network security measures to prevent remote attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Check for security advisories from Ledger and apply recommended patches promptly.