CVE-2019-15165 : What You Need to Know

A memory allocation vulnerability in libpcap's sf-pcapng.c before version 1.9.1 due to inadequate validation of the PHB header length.

Understanding CVE-2019-15165

This CVE involves a memory allocation issue in libpcap that could lead to security risks.

What is CVE-2019-15165?

Libpcap's sf-pcapng.c prior to version 1.9.1 fails to validate the PHB header length before allocating memory, potentially allowing attackers to exploit this vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15165

The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15165

A closer look at the technical aspects of this CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in sf-pcapng.c in libpcap before 1.9.1 results from the lack of proper validation of the PHB header length during memory allocation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Versions: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious packets to trigger the inadequate memory allocation in libpcap.

Mitigation and Prevention

Measures to address and prevent the CVE-2019-15165 vulnerability.

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 attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates to all relevant systems and software components.