CVE-2018-19826 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

LibSass 3.5.5 contains a vulnerability that can lead to a Denial of Service attack due to excessive memory usage. The issue involves a continuous loop in the inspect.cpp file, specifically in the Sass::Inspect::operator()(Sass::String_Quoted*) function, triggered by specially crafted input files.

Understanding CVE-2018-19826

This CVE entry highlights a memory consumption flaw in LibSass 3.5.5, potentially exploitable for a Denial of Service attack.

What is CVE-2018-19826?

The vulnerability in LibSass 3.5.5 allows attackers to create input files that trigger a continuous loop, leading to high memory usage and potential Denial of Service.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19826

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting input files with specific characters, causing excessive memory consumption and potentially enabling a Denial of Service attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19826

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE entry.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in LibSass 3.5.5 involves a loop in the inspect.cpp file, particularly in the Sass::Inspect::operator()(Sass::String_Quoted*) function, resulting in excessive memory usage.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: LibSass 3.5.5
Affected Systems: All systems using LibSass 3.5.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating specially crafted Sass input files containing specific characters like '&' or '/'.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-19826 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor memory usage for anomalies or spikes that could indicate a potential attack.
Implement input validation to detect and block malicious input files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update LibSass to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits to identify and address any memory-related issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of patches and updates provided by LibSass to mitigate the vulnerability.