CVE-2019-3558 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2019-3558 affecting Facebook Thrift servers in Python, allowing malicious clients to cause denial of service attacks. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures here.
Facebook Thrift servers in Python were prone to error when they received messages containing containers with unknown types of fields, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2019-3558
This CVE involves a vulnerability in Facebook Thrift servers that could be exploited by malicious clients to cause a denial of service.
What is CVE-2019-3558?
- Facebook Thrift servers in Python could encounter errors when processing messages with containers of unknown field types.
- Malicious clients could exploit this by sending brief messages that would significantly slow down the parsing process, potentially causing a denial of service.
The Impact of CVE-2019-3558
- The vulnerability could allow attackers to disrupt the normal operation of Facebook Thrift servers, leading to service unavailability.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-3558
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
- Facebook Thrift servers in Python did not handle messages with containers of unknown field types correctly, allowing for potential exploitation by malicious actors.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Facebook Thrift
- Vendor: Facebook
- Affected Versions: v2019.02.18.00 and versions before v2019.02.18.00
Exploitation Mechanism
- Malicious clients could send messages with containers of unknown field types, causing significant delays in the parsing process on the server, leading to a denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-3558 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Facebook Thrift servers to version v2019.02.18.00 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor server performance for any signs of unusual delays in message processing.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
- Implement network monitoring to detect and respond to abnormal traffic patterns.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by Facebook for Facebook Thrift servers to address the vulnerability.