CVE-2018-20456 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Before version 3.1.1 of radare2, a vulnerability exists in the parseOperand function in libr/asm/p/asm_x86_nz.c, potentially leading to a denial of service attack. This flaw could result in a crash due to a stack-based buffer over-read in libr/util/strbuf.c.

Understanding CVE-2018-20456

In radare2 prior to version 3.1.1, a specific function may allow attackers to trigger a denial of service by exploiting a stack-based buffer over-read vulnerability.

What is CVE-2018-20456?

The vulnerability in the parseOperand function of radare2 before version 3.1.1 could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service attack, leading to a crash in the application.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20456

Attackers could potentially execute a denial of service attack by exploiting the vulnerability.
The application may crash due to a stack-based buffer over-read, impacting its availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20456

In-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The parseOperand function in libr/asm/p/asm_x86_nz.c of radare2 before version 3.1.1 is susceptible to a denial of service attack due to a stack-based buffer over-read.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a specific input file to trigger the denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-20456 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update radare2 to version 3.1.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual crashes or denial of service indications.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent buffer over-read vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by radare2 promptly to address the vulnerability.