CVE-2018-25021 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Under specific circumstances, the TCP Server component in toxcore versions prior to 0.2.8 fails to release the TCP priority queue, allowing a malicious actor to exhaust system memory and launch a denial of service attack.

Understanding CVE-2018-25021

The vulnerability in toxcore versions before 0.2.8 can lead to a denial of service attack by depleting system memory.

What is CVE-2018-25021?

The TCP Server module in toxcore versions prior to 0.2.8 does not properly release the TCP priority queue, enabling a remote attacker to exhaust system memory, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2018-25021

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service by depleting system memory.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-25021

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in toxcore versions before 0.2.8.

Vulnerability Description

The TCP Server module in toxcore versions prior to 0.2.8 fails to release the TCP priority queue under specific conditions, allowing remote attackers to exhaust system memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: toxcore
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions prior to 0.2.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely to deplete system memory, leading to a denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2018-25021 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update toxcore to version 0.2.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent DoS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by toxcore to address the vulnerability.