CVE-2018-14851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the exif_process_IFD_in_MAKERNOTE function in PHP versions prior to 5.6.37, 7.0.x prior to 7.0.31, 7.1.x prior to 7.1.20, and 7.2.x prior to 7.2.8 allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service through a crafted JPEG file.

Understanding CVE-2018-14851

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in PHP versions that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-14851?

The vulnerability lies in the exif_process_IFD_in_MAKERNOTE function in PHP versions before 5.6.37, 7.0.x before 7.0.31, 7.1.x before 7.1.20, and 7.2.x before 7.2.8. It can be exploited by remote attackers through a specially crafted JPEG file, resulting in a denial of service, out-of-bounds read, and application crash.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14851

The vulnerability can have the following impacts:

Remote attackers can trigger a denial of service.
It may lead to an out-of-bounds read and crash of the affected application.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14851

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the exif_process_IFD_in_MAKERNOTE function in PHP versions allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through a crafted JPEG file.

Affected Systems and Versions

PHP versions prior to 5.6.37
PHP 7.0.x versions prior to 7.0.31
PHP 7.1.x versions prior to 7.1.20
PHP 7.2.x versions prior to 7.2.8

Exploitation Mechanism

The attack can be initiated by remote attackers through a specifically crafted JPEG file.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-14851 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PHP to versions 5.6.37, 7.0.31, 7.1.20, or 7.2.8 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening JPEG files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update PHP and other software to the latest versions.
Implement network security measures to prevent remote attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by PHP and relevant vendors.