CVE-2019-19956 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A memory leak vulnerability in libxml2 prior to version 2.9.10 can be exploited through the xmlParseBalancedChunkMemoryRecover function in parser.c.

Understanding CVE-2019-19956

This CVE involves a memory leak issue in libxml2, impacting versions before 2.9.10.

What is CVE-2019-19956?

The vulnerability is related to a memory leak associated with newDoc->oldNs in the xmlParseBalancedChunkMemoryRecover function within the parser.c file of libxml2.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19956

The memory leak vulnerability in libxml2 could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by consuming excessive memory resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19956

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the xmlParseBalancedChunkMemoryRecover function in parser.c of libxml2 before version 2.9.10, leading to a memory leak related to newDoc->oldNs.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected versions: libxml2 versions prior to 2.9.10
Systems using vulnerable versions of libxml2

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of the memory leak vulnerability through crafted XML input
Potential exploitation to execute arbitrary code or trigger a denial of service

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19956 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update libxml2 to version 2.9.10 or later to mitigate the memory leak vulnerability
Monitor system resources for unusual memory consumption

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities
Implement proper input validation to prevent exploitation of memory-related issues

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by libxml2 to address the memory leak vulnerability
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from relevant vendors