CVE-2017-15101 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2017-15101, related to a vulnerability in liblouis, could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2017-15101

What is CVE-2017-15101?

The Red Hat version of liblouis before 2.5.4 had a stack-based buffer overflow in the findTable() function, enabling unauthorized individuals to trigger a denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15101

This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.8 (High severity) with a low attack complexity and local attack vector. It poses a high impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity, requiring user interaction but no privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15101

Vulnerability Description

A missing patch for a stack-based buffer overflow in findTable() in the Red Hat version of liblouis before 2.5.4 could lead to a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: liblouis
Vendor: Liblouis
Version: 2.5.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by an unauthorized individual to provoke a denial of service situation or potentially achieve unauthorized execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update liblouis to version 2.5.4 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and security updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement least privilege access controls and network segmentation.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.