CVE-2019-19011 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

MiniUPnP ngiflib 0.4 has a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in GifIndexToTrueColor, potentially allowing attackers to exploit the issue when processing files without a palette.

Understanding CVE-2019-19011

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in MiniUPnP ngiflib 0.4 that could lead to a NULL pointer dereference.

What is CVE-2019-19011?

The vulnerability occurs in the GifIndexToTrueColor function within ngiflib.c, triggered by the processing of files lacking a palette.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19011

If exploited, this vulnerability could result in a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19011

MiniUPnP ngiflib 0.4 is susceptible to a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the GifIndexToTrueColor function.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises when processing files that do not contain a palette, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 0.4
Product: MiniUPnP ngiflib

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious file without a palette and tricking a user or system into processing it.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2019-19011 vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid processing files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious files.
Conduct security training to educate users on file handling best practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of patches and updates provided by MiniUPnP to address the vulnerability.