CVE-2019-15161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-15161, a vulnerability in libpcap before version 1.9.1 that mishandles length values, potentially allowing an attack vector with appended data. Find out how to mitigate and prevent exploitation.
In libpcap prior to version 1.9.1, a vulnerability exists due to mishandling of certain length values in rpcapd/daemon.c, potentially allowing an attack vector involving appended data.
Understanding CVE-2019-15161
What is CVE-2019-15161?
rpcapd/daemon.c in libpcap before 1.9.1 mishandles certain length values due to variable reuse, creating a potential attack vector.
The Impact of CVE-2019-15161
This vulnerability could be exploited to append additional data to a request, potentially leading to unauthorized access or other malicious activities.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-15161
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from the mishandling of length values in rpcapd/daemon.c, allowing for the manipulation of requests with appended data.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: N/A
- Vendor: N/A
- Versions: N/A
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by appending extra data to a request, taking advantage of the mishandled length values.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update libpcap to version 1.9.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Apply patches and updates provided by the vendor to ensure the security of the system.