CVE-2019-12175 : What You Need to Know

Zeek Network Security Monitor (formerly Bro) version prior to 2.6.2 is vulnerable to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack due to mishandling a case-type index in the Kerberos (KRB) protocol parser, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.

Understanding CVE-2019-12175

This CVE describes a vulnerability in Zeek Network Security Monitor that can be exploited to cause a denial-of-service condition.

What is CVE-2019-12175?

In Zeek Network Security Monitor (previously known as Bro) before version 2.6.2, a flaw in the Kerberos protocol parser allows attackers to trigger a NULL pointer dereference, resulting in a denial-of-service vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12175

The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to crash the affected Zeek Network Security Monitor instance, potentially disrupting network monitoring and security operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12175

Zeek Network Security Monitor (Bro) version prior to 2.6.2 is susceptible to a specific vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A NULL pointer dereference in the Kerberos protocol parser of Zeek Network Security Monitor (Bro) before version 2.6.2 allows for a denial-of-service attack due to mishandling of a case-type index.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Zeek Network Security Monitor (Bro)
Versions affected: Prior to 2.6.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network packets to trigger the mishandling of the case-type index in the Kerberos protocol parser, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2019-12175.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Zeek Network Security Monitor to version 2.6.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network intrusion detection and prevention systems to detect and block malicious traffic.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Zeek Network Security Monitor promptly to ensure the security of the system.