CVE-2018-11438 : Security Advisory and Response

A crafted mobi file can cause remote code execution (heap-based buffer overflow) through the mobi_decompress_lz77 function in compression.c of Libmobi 0.3.

Understanding CVE-2018-11438

The vulnerability in Libmobi 0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a heap-based buffer overflow.

What is CVE-2018-11438?

The CVE-2018-11438 vulnerability involves a crafted mobi file that can trigger remote code execution through a specific function in Libmobi 0.3.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11438

This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to execute malicious code on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11438

The technical aspects of the CVE-2018-11438 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The mobi_decompress_lz77 function in compression.c of Libmobi 0.3 is susceptible to a heap-based buffer overflow, enabling attackers to achieve remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious mobi file to trigger the heap-based buffer overflow in the mobi_decompress_lz77 function.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11438, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the processing of untrusted mobi files.
Implement file type validation mechanisms to block potentially malicious files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and code reviews to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to fix the vulnerability in Libmobi 0.3.