CVE-2019-15546 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was detected in the pancurses crate up to version 0.16.1 for Rust, where the printw and mvprintw functions have vulnerabilities related to format strings.

Understanding CVE-2019-15546

An issue was discovered in the pancurses crate through version 0.16.1 for Rust, where printw and mvprintw functions have format string vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2019-15546?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the pancurses crate up to version 0.16.1 for Rust, specifically related to vulnerabilities in the printw and mvprintw functions due to format string issues.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15546

The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to exploit format string vulnerabilities, leading to various security risks such as arbitrary code execution or information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15546

The technical aspects of the CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the pancurses crate up to version 0.16.1 for Rust is due to format string vulnerabilities in the printw and mvprintw functions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Not applicable
Affected Vendor: Not applicable
Affected Versions: Up to version 0.16.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating format strings in the printw and mvprintw functions, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution or data exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-15546, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the pancurses crate beyond 0.16.1.
Avoid using printw and mvprintw functions until the vulnerability is resolved.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates related to the pancurses crate.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent format string vulnerabilities in Rust applications.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by the Rust community to fix the format string vulnerabilities in the affected functions.