CVE-2019-16748 : Security Advisory and Response

wolfSSL versions up to 4.1.0 have a vulnerability related to memory access validation during the handshake process. This issue leads to a buffer over-read in the CheckCertSignature_ex function within the wolfcrypt library.

Understanding CVE-2019-16748

wolfSSL through version 4.1.0 lacks proper memory access validation during ASN.1 certificate data parsing, resulting in a heap-based buffer over-read.

What is CVE-2019-16748?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in wolfSSL versions up to 4.1.0, where insufficient validation of memory accesses occurs during the certificate data parsing process.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16748

The vulnerability allows for a one-byte buffer over-read in the heap-based buffer within the CheckCertSignature_ex function, potentially leading to security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16748

wolfSSL's vulnerability in version 4.1.0 is detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a lack of proper memory access validation during the parsing of ASN.1 certificate data, specifically in the CheckCertSignature_ex function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Up to 4.1.0
Product: wolfSSL
Vendor: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit a one-byte buffer over-read in the heap-based buffer within the CheckCertSignature_ex function.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-16748, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update wolfSSL to version 4.1.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories for any patches or workarounds provided by the vendor.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates promptly to ensure that security vulnerabilities are addressed and system integrity is maintained.