CVE-2018-12915 : What You Need to Know

A buffer over-read vulnerability was identified in the library libpbc.a in PBC until 2017-03-02, specifically in the function calc_hash in the file map.c.

Understanding CVE-2018-12915

This CVE entry describes a security issue in the PBC library that could lead to a buffer over-read vulnerability.

What is CVE-2018-12915?

CVE-2018-12915 is a vulnerability found in the library libpbc.a in PBC up to 2017-03-02, affecting the function calc_hash in the file map.c. This flaw could potentially be exploited by attackers.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12915

The buffer over-read issue in calc_hash could allow malicious actors to read beyond the allocated memory, potentially leading to information disclosure or a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12915

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the function calc_hash within the file map.c of the libpbc.a library in PBC until 2017-03-02, allowing for a buffer over-read.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions until 2017-03-02 are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by triggering the buffer over-read issue in the calc_hash function, potentially leading to unauthorized access or service disruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-12915, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the PBC library if available
Implement input validation to prevent malicious inputs

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security mailing lists for updates
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the PBC library maintainers to fix the buffer over-read vulnerability