CVE-2019-18397 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the buffer overflow vulnerability in CVE-2019-18397 affecting GNU FriBidi versions up to 1.0.7. Learn about the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
An exploitable vulnerability has been found in the fribidi_get_par_embedding_levels_ex() function within the lib/fribidi-bidi.c file of GNU FriBidi versions up to 1.0.7. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by providing manipulated text content to a user.
Understanding CVE-2019-18397
This CVE identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in GNU FriBidi versions up to 1.0.7, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or trigger a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2019-18397?
A buffer overflow vulnerability in the fribidi_get_par_embedding_levels_ex() function in GNU FriBidi versions up to 1.0.7 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by delivering crafted text content to a user.
The Impact of CVE-2019-18397
The exploit can occur when the manipulated text content is displayed by applications relying on FriBidi for text layout calculations, such as GNOME or GTK+ based programs using Pango for text layout.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-18397
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability lies in the fribidi_get_par_embedding_levels_ex() function in lib/fribidi-bidi.c of GNU FriBidi versions up to 1.0.7, leading to a buffer overflow.
Affected Systems and Versions
- GNU FriBidi versions up to 1.0.7
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing manipulated text content to a user, which is then rendered by applications using FriBidi for text layout calculations.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-18397 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update GNU FriBidi to a patched version if available
- Avoid opening untrusted text files or messages in applications that rely on FriBidi
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to patched versions
- Implement proper input validation and sanitization in applications
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by GNU FriBidi to address the vulnerability