CVE-2018-20213 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue has been found in the wbook_addworksheet function located in workbook.c file of libexcel.a file in libexcel version 0.01. This vulnerability allows attackers to initiate a denial of service (SEGV) attack by using an excessively long name. It's crucial to note that this vulnerability is specific to libexcel and not a Microsoft product.

Understanding CVE-2018-20213

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the libexcel library that can be exploited to cause a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-20213?

The vulnerability in the wbook_addworksheet function of libexcel.a in version 0.01 enables attackers to trigger a denial of service (SEGV) by providing a long name.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20213

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service (SEGV) attack, potentially disrupting the normal operation of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20213

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in wbook_addworksheet in workbook.c of libexcel.a in libexcel 0.01 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (SEGV) through a long name.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: libexcel 0.01
Systems using libexcel library version 0.01 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing an excessively long name when using the wbook_addworksheet function in libexcel.a.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20213 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of libexcel to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation to prevent excessively long names.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software libraries to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the libexcel project to fix the vulnerability.