CVE-2019-20014 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability was found in GNU LibreDWG prior to version 0.93. The file free.c contains a double-free bug in the dwg_free function.

Understanding CVE-2019-20014

An issue was discovered in GNU LibreDWG before 0.93, involving a double-free vulnerability in the dwg_free function.

What is CVE-2019-20014?

CVE-2019-20014 is a vulnerability in GNU LibreDWG that allows attackers to exploit a double-free bug in the dwg_free function, present in versions prior to 0.93.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20014

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on systems running affected versions of GNU LibreDWG.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20014

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in GNU LibreDWG before version 0.93 involves a double-free bug in the dwg_free function located in the file free.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GNU LibreDWG
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: Prior to version 0.93

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious DWG file that triggers the double-free bug in the dwg_free function, leading to potential code execution or DoS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20014 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GNU LibreDWG to version 0.93 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the system that could indicate exploitation of the double-free bug.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement code review processes to catch memory-related bugs during development.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by GNU LibreDWG to address the double-free vulnerability.