CVE-2019-13117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

libxslt version 1.1.33 contains a vulnerability in the numbers.c file that could lead to an uninitialized read, potentially enabling an attacker to discern specific characters within a byte on the stack.

Understanding CVE-2019-13117

This CVE involves a vulnerability in libxslt version 1.1.33 that could be exploited by an attacker to determine the presence of certain characters within a byte on the stack.

What is CVE-2019-13117?

In numbers.c in libxslt 1.1.33, an xsl:number with specific format strings may result in an uninitialized read in xsltNumberFormatInsertNumbers. This could allow an attacker to discern specific characters within a byte on the stack.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13117

The vulnerability in libxslt version 1.1.33 could potentially enable an attacker to identify the presence of characters like A, a, I, i, or 0 within a byte on the stack, as well as other characters.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13117

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in libxslt version 1.1.33 allows for an uninitialized read in the xsltNumberFormatInsertNumbers function, potentially leading to the disclosure of specific characters within a byte on the stack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by utilizing certain format strings in an xsl:number, enabling an attacker to determine the presence of specific characters within a byte on the stack.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-13117, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by the vendor
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries
Conduct security assessments and audits

Patching and Updates

Install the latest security updates and patches from the vendor