CVE-2018-7889 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Calibre 3.18 software's gui2/viewer/bookmarkmanager.py module is vulnerable to remote code execution attacks due to the usage of cPickle.load function on imported bookmark data.

Understanding CVE-2018-7889

The vulnerability in Calibre 3.18 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by crafting a malicious .pickle file.

What is CVE-2018-7889?

The Calibre 3.18 software's bookmark manager module is susceptible to remote code execution attacks through crafted .pickle files.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7889

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
An attacker could potentially run malicious Python code containing harmful commands.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7889

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in Calibre 3.18.

Vulnerability Description

The gui2/viewer/bookmarkmanager.py module in Calibre 3.18 uses cPickle.load on imported bookmark data.
This allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by creating a malicious .pickle file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Calibre 3.18
Vendor: Calibre
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Crafting a malicious .pickle file containing Python code with an os.system call.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-7889 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Calibre software to the latest version.
Avoid importing bookmark data from untrusted sources.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit software for vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe handling of imported data.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Calibre to fix the vulnerability.