CVE-2019-15296 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the buffer overflow vulnerability in Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2) version 2.8.8. Learn about the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
A buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in version 2.8.8 of Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2), affecting the faad_resetbits function in libfaad/bits.c.
Understanding CVE-2019-15296
This CVE identifies a critical buffer overflow issue in FAAD2 version 2.8.8.
What is CVE-2019-15296?
The vulnerability arises from an incorrect calculation of the number of bits to be read, leading to a buffer overflow when certain conditions are met.
The Impact of CVE-2019-15296
The buffer overflow vulnerability in FAAD2 version 2.8.8 can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or crash the application, posing a significant security risk.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-15296
This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue stems from an incorrect calculation of the number of bits to be read, potentially leading to a buffer overflow in the faad_resetbits function.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2)
- Version: 2.8.8
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability occurs when determining the number of bits to be read, calculated by subtracting words multiplied by 4 from ld->buffer_size and casting the result to uint32. If the result is negative, a buffer overflow can occur.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
- Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for updates.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and firmware to the latest versions.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running FAAD2 version 2.8.8 are updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.