CVE-2019-16161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Onigmo up to version 6.2.0 is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference issue in the function onig_error_code_to_str, caused by the fetch_token function in the regparse.c file.

Understanding CVE-2019-16161

This CVE entry highlights a specific vulnerability in the Onigmo library.

What is CVE-2019-16161?

The vulnerability in Onigmo up to version 6.2.0 leads to a NULL pointer dereference in the onig_error_code_to_str function due to issues in the fetch_token function within regparse.c.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16161

The vulnerability can potentially be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) or execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16161

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Onigmo up to version 6.2.0 results in a NULL pointer dereference in the onig_error_code_to_str function due to problems in the fetch_token function in regparse.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Onigmo up to 6.2.0
Systems using the vulnerable versions of Onigmo are at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to trigger a NULL pointer dereference, potentially leading to a DoS condition or arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16161 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Onigmo to a patched version that addresses the NULL pointer dereference issue.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the system that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software libraries and dependencies to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong input validation mechanisms to reduce the risk of exploitation through malformed inputs.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Onigmo promptly to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance system security.