CVE-2019-18281 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-18281, a vulnerability in Qt qtbase versions 5.11.x and 5.12.x before 5.12.5 that could allow attackers to crash an application via a text file, leading to a denial of service.
A vulnerability in the Qt qtbase versions 5.11.x and 5.12.x prior to 5.12.5 could allow attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting an out-of-bounds memory access.
Understanding CVE-2019-18281
The generateDirectionalRuns() function in qtextengine.cpp of Qt qtbase versions 5.11.x and 5.12.x prior to 5.12.5 is susceptible to an out-of-bounds memory access, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2019-18281?
This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Qt qtbase versions 5.11.x and 5.12.x before 5.12.5 that allows attackers to crash an application by providing a text file containing numerous directional characters, resulting in a denial of service.
The Impact of CVE-2019-18281
The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to crash an application, leading to a denial of service condition.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-18281
The technical details of the CVE-2019-18281 vulnerability are as follows:
Vulnerability Description
An out-of-bounds memory access in the generateDirectionalRuns() function in qtextengine.cpp in Qt qtbase 5.11.x and 5.12.x before 5.12.5 allows attackers to cause a denial of service by crashing an application via a text file containing many directional characters.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Qt qtbase
- Versions: 5.11.x and 5.12.x before 5.12.5
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing a text file with numerous directional characters, triggering the out-of-bounds memory access and crashing the application.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the CVE-2019-18281 vulnerability, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security updates provided by Qt to patch the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unusual application crashes that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Qt software to the latest versions to ensure all security patches are applied.
- Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar memory access vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that Qt qtbase versions 5.11.x and 5.12.x are updated to version 5.12.5 or later to address the vulnerability.