CVE-2018-16132 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability in the Open Whisper Signal application for iOS could allow an attacker to exhaust device memory by sending large images, leading to a forced restart.

Understanding CVE-2018-16132

The createGenericPreview function in Open Whisper Signal for iOS version 2.29.0 lacks a check for overly large images, causing memory exhaustion.

What is CVE-2018-16132?

The vulnerability in Open Whisper Signal for iOS allows attackers to send large images that consume all available memory, forcing a device restart.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16132

When a user receives a large image in Open Whisper Signal for iOS, it can lead to memory exhaustion and a mandatory device restart.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16132

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in Open Whisper Signal for iOS.

Vulnerability Description

The createGenericPreview function in Open Whisper Signal for iOS version 2.29.0 fails to check for excessively large images, causing memory depletion and device restarts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Open Whisper Signal
Vendor: N/A
Version: 2.29.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the lack of image size verification in Open Whisper Signal for iOS to send large images, depleting device memory.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2018-16132 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Open Whisper Signal to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid opening images from untrusted sources to prevent memory exhaustion.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update applications to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
Educate users on safe practices when receiving and opening files.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Open Whisper Systems to address the vulnerability.