CVE-2018-19935 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in PHP versions 5.x and 7.x before 7.3.0 allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting the php_imap.c file.

Understanding CVE-2018-19935

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in PHP versions 5.x and 7.x that can be exploited to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2018-19935?

The vulnerability in the "php_imap.c" file in PHP versions 5.x and 7.x before 7.3.0 allows external attackers to execute a denial of service attack by providing an empty string as the message argument to the imap_mail function. This action results in a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a crash in the application.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19935

The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to crash the application, causing a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19935

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ext/imap/php_imap.c in PHP versions 5.x and 7.x before 7.3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through a NULL pointer dereference and application crash by sending an empty string in the message argument to the imap_mail function.

Affected Systems and Versions

PHP versions 5.x and 7.x before 7.3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by providing an empty string as the message argument to the imap_mail function, triggering a NULL pointer dereference and application crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires specific actions.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PHP to version 7.3.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activity that could indicate a potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update PHP and other software to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by PHP to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.