CVE-2019-12221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2019-12221, a vulnerability in SDL library causing a segmentation fault. Learn about affected versions, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability has been discovered in the library libSDL2.a of Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) 2.0.9 when used in conjunction with the library libSDL2_image.a from SDL2_image 2.0.4. This vulnerability results in a segmentation fault (SEGV) in the SDL function SDL_free_REAL within the SDL_malloc.c file of the standard library.
Understanding CVE-2019-12221
This CVE pertains to a specific vulnerability found in the SDL library when combined with another SDL-related library.
What is CVE-2019-12221?
CVE-2019-12221 is a security vulnerability identified in the SDL library, leading to a segmentation fault under certain conditions.
The Impact of CVE-2019-12221
The vulnerability can potentially be exploited to cause a denial of service (DoS) or execute arbitrary code on the affected system, posing a risk to the integrity and availability of the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-12221
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises in libSDL2.a of SDL 2.0.9 when used alongside libSDL2_image.a in SDL2_image 2.0.4, resulting in a SEGV in the SDL function SDL_free_REAL at stdlib/SDL_malloc.c.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions: SDL 2.0.9, SDL2_image 2.0.4
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a specific input that triggers the SDL function SDL_free_REAL, leading to a segmentation fault.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protective measures and actions to mitigate the impact of CVE-2019-12221.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by the SDL library maintainers to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor official security channels for updates and advisories related to SDL.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update SDL and associated libraries to the latest versions to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement secure coding practices to reduce the likelihood of exploitation through SDL functions.
- Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by SDL and related distributions to ensure the timely application of fixes.