CVE-2017-18005 : What You Need to Know

A Null Pointer Dereference issue was discovered in version 0.26 of Exiv2. This vulnerability is present in the function Exiv2::DataValue::toLong() in the value.cpp file and is triggered by manipulated metadata found in a TIFF file.

Understanding CVE-2017-18005

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the Exiv2 software.

What is CVE-2017-18005?

CVE-2017-18005 is a Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability in Exiv2 version 0.26, specifically in the function Exiv2::DataValue::toLong() in the value.cpp file. It can be exploited by manipulating metadata within a TIFF file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18005

This vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition or other security issues due to the null pointer dereference.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18005

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in a specific function within Exiv2, allowing attackers to trigger a null pointer dereference by manipulating metadata in a TIFF file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Affected Version: 0.26

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious TIFF file with manipulated metadata, causing the Exiv2 software to dereference a null pointer.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18005 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Exiv2 to a patched version or apply security updates provided by the vendor.
Avoid opening or processing untrusted TIFF files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent manipulation of metadata.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Exiv2 is regularly updated to the latest version to mitigate the CVE-2017-18005 vulnerability.