CVE-2018-19801 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Aubio versions between v0.4.0 and v0.4.8 are affected by a NULL pointer dereference in the new_aubio_filterbank function due to an invalid value for n_filters.

Understanding CVE-2018-19801

In this CVE, a vulnerability in the aubio library could lead to a NULL pointer dereference, potentially causing a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2018-19801?

The issue arises from an invalid value for n_filters in the new_aubio_filterbank function within aubio versions v0.4.0 to v0.4.8.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19801

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to trigger a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a denial of service or potentially arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19801

Aubio library versions v0.4.0 to v0.4.8 are susceptible to a NULL pointer dereference due to an invalid value for n_filters.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs in the new_aubio_filterbank function within the affected versions of aubio, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Aubio
Vendor: N/A
Versions: v0.4.0 to v0.4.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing an invalid value for n_filters, triggering a NULL pointer dereference.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update to the latest version of aubio to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly update software and libraries to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement code reviews and testing to catch potential issues early.
Follow secure coding practices to prevent NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running aubio are updated to versions beyond v0.4.8 to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.