CVE-2019-3553 : Security Advisory and Response

Facebook Thrift servers written in C++ prior to version v2020.02.03.00 were vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to improper handling of message container sizes.

Understanding CVE-2019-3553

Before version v2020.02.03.00, a vulnerability in Facebook Thrift allowed malicious clients to trigger excessive memory allocation, potentially leading to a denial of service.

What is CVE-2019-3553?

Facebook Thrift servers in C++ did not handle messages correctly when container sizes exceeded the payload, enabling a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3553

Malicious clients could exploit this vulnerability to send small messages, causing excessive memory allocation and potentially crashing the server.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3553

Facebook Thrift servers in C++ were susceptible to a denial of service vulnerability due to improper message handling.

Vulnerability Description

The issue allowed malicious clients to trigger excessive memory allocation by sending small messages, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Facebook Thrift versions prior to v2020.02.03.00 written in C++ were affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious clients could exploit the vulnerability by sending messages with container sizes larger than the payload, causing excessive memory allocation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2019-3553 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Facebook Thrift servers to version v2020.02.03.00 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor server resources for unusual memory allocation patterns.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Facebook to address the vulnerability and enhance server security.