CVE-2018-16840 : What You Need to Know

Curl versions from 7.59.0 to 7.61.1 contained a critical vulnerability due to a heap use-after-free flaw in the code responsible for closing an easy handle.

Understanding CVE-2018-16840

What is CVE-2018-16840?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Curl versions 7.59.0 to 7.61.1, where mishandling of memory during handle closure could lead to a heap use-after-free issue.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16840

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by exploiting the heap use-after-free flaw.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16840

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Curl's

Curl_close()

function results in writing data to a previously freed struct, leading to a heap use-after-free vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Curl
Vendor: The Curl Project
Versions affected: 7.59.0 to 7.61.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Curl to a non-vulnerable version.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent memory-related vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to address the vulnerability.