CVE-2019-19334 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in libyang versions before 1.0-r5, potentially leading to denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

Understanding CVE-2019-19334

This CVE identifies a critical vulnerability in libyang that could be exploited by parsing malicious YANG files.

What is CVE-2019-19334?

CVE-2019-19334 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in libyang versions prior to 1.0-r5, triggered when parsing YANG files with a specific leaf type.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19334

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service or the execution of arbitrary code, posing a significant risk to systems relying on libyang for parsing YANG files.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19334

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A stack-based buffer overflow occurs in libyang when processing YANG files containing a leaf of type "identityref", potentially leading to security compromises.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: libyang
Vendor: Red Hat
Vulnerable Versions: All versions before 1.0-r5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises during the parsing of YANG files with a specific leaf type, allowing attackers to trigger the buffer overflow and potentially execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19334 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update libyang to version 1.0-r5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid parsing untrusted YANG files until the patch is applied.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflows.

Patching and Updates

Apply the official patch provided by Red Hat to address the stack-based buffer overflow in libyang.