CVE-2018-14360 : What You Need to Know

NeoMutt prior to 2018-07-16 is affected by a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability due to the incorrect usage of sscanf in the nntp_add_group function in newsrc.c.

Understanding CVE-2018-14360

This CVE record highlights a security issue in NeoMutt that could potentially be exploited by attackers.

What is CVE-2018-14360?

CVE-2018-14360 is a vulnerability in NeoMutt that allows a stack-based buffer overflow due to the misuse of sscanf in the nntp_add_group function.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14360

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the application, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14360

NeoMutt prior to 2018-07-16 is susceptible to a stack-based buffer overflow due to incorrect sscanf usage.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the nntp_add_group function in the file newsrc.c, where a stack-based buffer overflow occurs due to the misuse of sscanf.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: NeoMutt
Vendor: N/A
Versions: All versions prior to 2018-07-16

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input to trigger the stack-based buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2018-14360.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NeoMutt to a version released after 2018-07-16 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to avoid buffer overflows and other common security issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running NeoMutt are regularly updated with the latest security patches to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-14360.