CVE-2018-5759 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Artifex MuJS up to version 1.0.2 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to improper handling of the abstract syntax tree depth for binary expressions.

Understanding CVE-2018-5759

This CVE involves a security flaw in Artifex MuJS that can be exploited to cause a denial of service by overloading the system with excessive recursion.

What is CVE-2018-5759?

The vulnerability in jsparse.c in Artifex MuJS up to version 1.0.2 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service by manipulating the AST depth for binary expressions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5759

Attackers can exploit this flaw to overload the system with excessive recursion, leading to a denial of service.
This vulnerability can be triggered by using a specially crafted file.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5759

Artifex MuJS through version 1.0.2 is susceptible to a denial of service attack due to a flaw in handling the AST depth for binary expressions.

Vulnerability Description

The file jsparse.c in Artifex MuJS does not properly maintain the AST depth for binary expressions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Artifex MuJS
Vendor: Artifex
Versions affected: Up to version 1.0.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using a specially crafted file to trigger excessive recursion, causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-5759, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Artifex MuJS to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation to prevent the execution of malicious files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and code reviews to identify and mitigate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Artifex to fix the vulnerability.