CVE-2018-18520 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability was discovered in the function elf_end in libelf in elfutils through v0.174, leading to an Invalid Memory Address Dereference. This vulnerability can be exploited by utilizing a crafted ELF file to cause a denial of service, specifically crashing the application.

Understanding CVE-2018-18520

This CVE involves a vulnerability in elfutils through v0.174 that can result in a denial of service by exploiting an Invalid Memory Address Dereference.

What is CVE-2018-18520?

The vulnerability in the function elf_end in libelf in elfutils through v0.174 allows attackers to crash an application by using a specially crafted ELF file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18520

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, causing the application to crash.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18520

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in handle_ar in size.c, where the outer ar file is closed before handling all inner entries, leading to the vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using a crafted ELF file to trigger an Invalid Memory Address Dereference.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18520 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by the respective vendors.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and mitigation strategies.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor advisories for specific patch details and update procedures.