CVE-2018-19217 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the details of CVE-2018-19217, a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the ncurses library that could lead to a denial of service attack. Learn about the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability has been discovered in the _nc_name_match function within the ncurses library, potentially affecting version 6.x. This flaw could be exploited to trigger a denial of service attack. Despite the initial report mentioning version 6.1, the issue could not be replicated by the maintainer or a trusted third-party.
Understanding CVE-2018-19217
This CVE entry describes a disputed vulnerability in the ncurses library that could lead to a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2018-19217?
The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the _nc_name_match function within the ncurses library, potentially impacting version 6.x. It could be abused by attackers to launch denial of service attacks.
The Impact of CVE-2018-19217
The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service condition, affecting the availability of systems utilizing the vulnerable ncurses library.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-19217
This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the _nc_name_match function within the ncurses library, potentially present in version 6.x.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions: Potentially affects version 6.x
Evolving from the initial report mentioning version 6.1, the issue could not be reproduced by the maintainer or a trusted third-party.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to trigger a denial of service attack by leveraging the NULL pointer dereference in the _nc_name_match function.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-19217 is crucial to maintaining security.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Monitor for security advisories related to the ncurses library.
- Apply patches or updates provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
- Implement strong access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the ncurses library is updated to a secure version that addresses the NULL pointer dereference vulnerability.