CVE-2018-20348 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-20348 was published on December 22, 2018, and is associated with a vulnerability in the libpff library that could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service by triggering infinite recursion.

Understanding CVE-2018-20348

This CVE relates to a specific function within the libpff library that could be manipulated to disrupt services.

What is CVE-2018-20348?

The function "libpff_item_tree_create_node" in the file "libpff_item_tree.c" before the experimental-20180714 version is vulnerable to exploitation, potentially leading to a denial of service due to infinite recursion. The vulnerability is linked to the "libfdata_tree_get_node_value" function in the "libfdata_tree.c" file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20348

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service, impacting the availability and functionality of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20348

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in "libpff_item_tree_create_node" allows attackers to disrupt services through infinite recursion, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Not applicable
Affected Vendor: Not applicable
Affected Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting a specific file to trigger the infinite recursion, affecting the "libfdata_tree_get_node_value" function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20348 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor for any unusual recursive behavior in the affected functions.
Implement file input validation to prevent crafted files from triggering the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the libpff library to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the libpff library is regularly updated to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.