CVE-2019-11471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

libheif 1.4.0 has a use-after-free vulnerability in the function set_alpha_channel of the class HeifContext in the file heif_context.h. This vulnerability is caused by mishandling references to non-existent alpha images in the file heif_context.cc.

Understanding CVE-2019-11471

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in libheif version 1.4.0.

What is CVE-2019-11471?

CVE-2019-11471 is a use-after-free vulnerability in libheif 1.4.0, affecting the function set_alpha_channel of the HeifContext class.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11471

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by crashing the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11471

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The use-after-free vulnerability in libheif 1.4.0 occurs in the function set_alpha_channel of the HeifContext class due to mishandling of references to non-existent alpha images.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 1.4.0
Systems using libheif 1.4.0 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by manipulating references to non-existing alpha images, leading to a use-after-free condition in the application.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-11471 and enhance system security, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update libheif to a patched version that addresses the use-after-free vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest secure versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the libheif project to fix the use-after-free vulnerability.