CVE-2017-5969 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2017-5969 was published on April 11, 2017, and affects libxml2 version 2.9.4. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference in a manipulated XML document.

Understanding CVE-2017-5969

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in libxml2 2.9.4 that can be exploited to cause a denial of service through a crafted XML document.

What is CVE-2017-5969?

CVE-2017-5969 is a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in libxml2 2.9.4 that can be triggered by using the recover mode, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5969

The vulnerability allows malicious individuals to exploit a NULL pointer dereference in a manipulated XML document, resulting in a denial of service attack. The maintainer of the software disputes the assignment of a CVE for this issue, suggesting that the Recover parsing option should only be used for manual recovery.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5969

CVE-2017-5969 involves a specific vulnerability in libxml2 2.9.4 when operating in recover mode.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in libxml2 2.9.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through a NULL pointer dereference in a manipulated XML document.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Version: 2.9.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious individuals can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating an XML document to trigger a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is essential to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-5969.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the recover mode in libxml2 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security updates and patches related to libxml2.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability in libxml2.