CVE-2018-14681 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been found in kwajd_read_headers function in mspack/kwajd.c in libmspack prior to version 0.7alpha. The presence of malformed KWAJ file header extensions may lead to a potential overwrite of either one or two bytes.

Understanding CVE-2018-14681

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the libmspack library that could result in a one or two-byte overwrite due to malformed KWAJ file header extensions.

What is CVE-2018-14681?

CVE-2018-14681 is a vulnerability found in the kwajd_read_headers function in libmspack, specifically in the mspack/kwajd.c file. The issue arises from improperly handled KWAJ file header extensions, which could allow an attacker to overwrite one or two bytes.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14681

The vulnerability could potentially be exploited by an attacker to overwrite one or two bytes in the affected system, leading to a range of security risks, including possible code execution or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14681

This section provides more detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in kwajd_read_headers in mspack/kwajd.c in libmspack before version 0.7alpha allows for a one or two-byte overwrite due to malformed KWAJ file header extensions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The presence of malformed KWAJ file header extensions triggers the vulnerability, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite one or two bytes in the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-14681 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of libmspack to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to minimize the risk of buffer overflows and memory corruption.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.