CVE-2018-10316 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

NASM version 2.14rc0 contains a vulnerability due to an infinite while loop in the assemble_file function, caused by an integer overflow in the lineno variable.

Understanding CVE-2018-10316

Netwide Assembler (NASM) 2.14rc0 has a critical flaw that leads to an endless loop, posing a security risk to systems utilizing this version.

What is CVE-2018-10316?

The vulnerability in NASM version 2.14rc0 stems from an integer overflow in the lineno variable, resulting in an infinite while loop in the assemble_file function of asm/nasm.c.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10316

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition, potentially leading to system crashes or unresponsiveness.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10316

NASM version 2.14rc0 is susceptible to an infinite loop due to an integer overflow in the lineno variable.

Vulnerability Description

The assemble_file function in asm/nasm.c of NASM version 2.14rc0 contains an infinite while loop caused by an integer overflow in the variable lineno.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to trigger an infinite loop, potentially leading to a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2018-10316.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NASM to a patched version that addresses the integer overflow issue.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation to prevent integer overflow vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by NASM to fix the integer overflow vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.