CVE-2018-1338 : Security Advisory and Response

Apache Tika before version 1.18 is susceptible to an infinite loop vulnerability in the BPGParser, triggered by specially crafted files.

Understanding CVE-2018-1338

Versions of Apache Tika prior to 1.18 may encounter an infinite loop in the BPGParser when processing meticulously designed files.

What is CVE-2018-1338?

A carefully crafted or fuzzed file can lead to an infinite loop in Apache Tika's BPGParser in versions before 1.18.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1338

The vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial of service (DoS) by triggering an infinite loop in the affected parser.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1338

Apache Tika's vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

An infinite loop vulnerability exists in the BPGParser of Apache Tika versions prior to 1.18.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Tika
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Versions Affected: < 1.18

Exploitation Mechanism

A meticulously designed file can exploit the vulnerability, causing the BPGParser to enter an infinite loop.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2018-1338 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apache Tika to version 1.18 or later to mitigate the infinite loop vulnerability.
Exercise caution when processing files from untrusted sources to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement file input validation and sanitization to prevent malicious file execution.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Apache Software Foundation to address the CVE-2018-1338 vulnerability.