CVE-2019-3829 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Gnutls versions starting from 3.5.8 up to 3.6.7 have a vulnerability involving a memory corruption issue within the certificate verification API.

Understanding CVE-2019-3829

This CVE affects Gnutls versions 3.5.8 to 3.6.7, potentially exposing systems to a double free vulnerability during X.509 certificate verification.

What is CVE-2019-3829?

The vulnerability in Gnutls versions 3.5.8 to 3.6.7 is a memory corruption issue, specifically a double free vulnerability, within the certificate verification API. This flaw makes any application using GnuTLS for X.509 certificate verification susceptible to exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3829

The impact of this CVE is rated as MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 5.3. The vulnerability does not require privileges, and its exploitation can lead to low availability impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3829

Gnutls versions 3.5.8 to 3.6.7 are affected by a memory corruption vulnerability in the certificate verification API.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a double free issue within the certificate verification API, potentially leading to memory corruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Gnutls versions 3.5.8 to 3.6.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-3829, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Gnutls to version 3.6.7 to fix the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Gnutls and relevant vendors to mitigate the vulnerability.