CVE-2018-6616 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OpenJPEG 2.3.0's opj_t1_encode_cblks function is vulnerable to excessive iteration, allowing remote attackers to trigger a denial of service via a maliciously crafted bmp file.

Understanding CVE-2018-6616

This CVE involves a denial of service vulnerability in OpenJPEG 2.3.0 due to excessive iteration in a specific function.

What is CVE-2018-6616?

CVE-2018-6616 is a vulnerability in OpenJPEG 2.3.0 that enables remote attackers to exploit excessive iteration in the opj_t1_encode_cblks function, leading to a denial of service by using a specially crafted bmp file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6616

The vulnerability allows attackers to disrupt the availability of the affected system by causing a denial of service, potentially affecting the system's performance and functionality.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6616

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The opj_t1_encode_cblks function in OpenJPEG 2.3.0 suffers from excessive iteration, which can be abused by remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack using a maliciously crafted bmp file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: 2.3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted bmp file to the target system, triggering the excessive iteration in the opj_t1_encode_cblks function and causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-6616 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by the vendor promptly.
Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious bmp files.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate weaknesses.
Educate users and administrators about safe file handling practices to prevent exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the vendor advisories and security alerts for patches and updates.