CVE-2019-17595 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-17595, a heap-based buffer over-read vulnerability in ncurses versions before 6.1-20191012. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
The terminfo library in ncurses versions prior to 6.1-20191012 contains a heap-based buffer over-read vulnerability in the fmt_entry function of the tinfo/comp_hash.c file.
Understanding CVE-2019-17595
This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the ncurses library that could potentially be exploited by attackers.
What is CVE-2019-17595?
The CVE-2019-17595 vulnerability is a heap-based buffer over-read issue found in the fmt_entry function within the tinfo/comp_hash.c file of the ncurses library versions before 6.1-20191012.
The Impact of CVE-2019-17595
This vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by triggering the buffer over-read.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-17595
This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE-2019-17595 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the fmt_entry function of the tinfo/comp_hash.c file in ncurses versions prior to 6.1-20191012, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: All versions of ncurses before 6.1-20191012
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious input that triggers the heap-based buffer over-read in the fmt_entry function of the ncurses library.
Mitigation and Prevention
To protect systems from the CVE-2019-17595 vulnerability, follow these mitigation and prevention strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary patches provided by the vendor to update ncurses to version 6.1-20191012 or later.
- Monitor security advisories for any updates related to this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement strong input validation mechanisms to prevent buffer over-read and other similar issues.
Patching and Updates
- Ensure that all systems running ncurses are updated to version 6.1-20191012 or above to mitigate the CVE-2019-17595 vulnerability.