CVE-2019-14906 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in SDL versions 1.2.15 to 2.0.9 could allow for the execution of malicious code or application crashes.

Understanding CVE-2019-14906

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in Red Hat's SDL packages, impacting versions 1.2.15 through 2.0.9.

What is CVE-2019-14906?

The vulnerability stems from a lack of validation during the loading process of BMP images in SDL, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14906

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact: High
Base Score: 8.1 (High Severity)
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Unchanged
User Interaction: None
CWEs: CWE-787, CWE-125

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14906

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

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows an attacker to exploit SDL's handling of BMP images, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code or application crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

All SDL versions through 1.2.15
All SDL versions 2.x through 2.0.9

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs during the copying of surfaces, specifically when transitioning from an existing surface to a newly optimized one.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-14906 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches promptly
Avoid parsing untrusted input files with SDL
Monitor for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update SDL to the latest version
Implement input validation mechanisms
Conduct security audits and code reviews

Patching and Updates

Ensure all SDL packages are updated to versions that address the CVE-2019-14906 vulnerability.