CVE-2019-17533 : Security Advisory and Response

MATIO version 1.5.17 is affected by a vulnerability in the Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 function, leading to a buffer over-read issue. This CVE was published on October 13, 2019, by MITRE.

Understanding CVE-2019-17533

The vulnerability in MATIO version 1.5.17 can result in a heap-based buffer over-read due to a missing '\0' character in the Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 function.

What is CVE-2019-17533?

The function Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 in MATIO version 1.5.17 fails to include a specific '\0' character, causing a buffer over-read in the strdup_vprintf function when uninitialized memory is accessed.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17533

This vulnerability could be exploited to trigger a heap-based buffer over-read, potentially leading to information disclosure or denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17533

MATIO version 1.5.17 is susceptible to a buffer over-read due to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 function in mat4.c of MATIO 1.5.17 omits a certain '\0' character, resulting in a heap-based buffer over-read in strdup_vprintf when uninitialized memory is accessed.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by accessing uninitialized memory, causing a buffer over-read in the strdup_vprintf function.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-17533, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MATIO to a patched version that addresses the buffer over-read issue.
Monitor vendor security advisories for updates and patches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent buffer over-read vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by the MATIO project to fix the buffer over-read vulnerability.