CVE-2018-20461 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue in radare2 up to version 3.1.1 can lead to a denial-of-service attack due to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2018-20461

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in radare2 that could be exploited to trigger a denial-of-service attack.

What is CVE-2018-20461?

CVE-2018-20461 is a vulnerability in radare2 versions prior to 3.1.1 that allows attackers to cause a denial-of-service by manipulating a binary file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20461

The vulnerability can result in a denial-of-service attack, leading to an application crash due to an out-of-bounds read in the core_anal_bytes function.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20461

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the core_anal_bytes function in libr/core/cmd_anal.c, where attackers can exploit it by crafting a binary file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Up to version 3.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger a denial-of-service attack by manipulating a binary file to exploit the out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20461 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update radare2 to version 3.1.1 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software components, including radare2, are regularly updated to the latest versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.