CVE-2019-14872 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the impact of CVE-2019-14872, a medium-severity vulnerability in newlib libc library before version 3.3.0. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
In versions of the newlib libc library prior to 3.3.0, the _dtoa_r function suffers from a potential issue where it does not adequately verify the return value of multiple memory allocations. This oversight could potentially lead to a NULL pointer dereference situation.
Understanding CVE-2019-14872
In this section, we will delve into the details of CVE-2019-14872.
What is CVE-2019-14872?
CVE-2019-14872 is a vulnerability found in the newlib libc library before version 3.3.0. It arises from the _dtoa_r function's failure to properly validate the return value of multiple memory allocations, potentially resulting in a NULL pointer dereference.
The Impact of CVE-2019-14872
The impact of this vulnerability is considered medium with a CVSS base score of 6.5. The availability impact is high, while confidentiality and integrity impacts are none. The attack complexity is low, and privileges required are also low.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-14872
Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2019-14872.
Vulnerability Description
The _dtoa_r function in newlib libc library, versions prior to 3.3.0, performs multiple memory allocations without verifying their return values, leading to a potential NULL pointer dereference.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: newlib
- Vendor: Red Hat
- Versions Affected: All newlib versions before 3.3.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited through a network attack vector with low complexity and low privileges required.
Mitigation and Prevention
Learn how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2019-14872.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update newlib to version 3.3.0 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
- Monitor vendor security advisories for patches and updates.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software libraries and dependencies to the latest secure versions.
- Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Apply patches and updates provided by Red Hat to address the vulnerability.