CVE-2019-11778 : Security Advisory and Response

Eclipse Mosquitto versions 1.6.0 to 1.6.4 are affected by a use after free vulnerability when certain conditions are met, potentially leading to a crash.

Understanding CVE-2019-11778

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in Eclipse Mosquitto versions 1.6.0 to 1.6.4 that could result in a use after free error under certain circumstances.

What is CVE-2019-11778?

When an MQTT v5 client establishes a connection with affected versions of Eclipse Mosquitto and configures specific parameters, a use after free error may occur, posing a risk of system crashes.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11778

The vulnerability could lead to a crash in instances where a last will and testament, will delay interval, and session expiry interval are set in a particular configuration.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11778

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The use after free vulnerability in Eclipse Mosquitto versions 1.6.0 to 1.6.4 arises when specific MQTT v5 client connection settings are configured, potentially causing system crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Eclipse Mosquitto
Vendor: The Eclipse Foundation
Versions: 1.6.0 to 1.6.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs when an MQTT v5 client connects to the affected versions of Eclipse Mosquitto and sets certain parameters in a particular manner.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-11778, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Eclipse Mosquitto to a non-vulnerable version.
Disable the last will and testament feature if not essential.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories related to Eclipse Mosquitto.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by The Eclipse Foundation promptly to address the vulnerability.