CVE-2019-3860 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability was found in libssh2 before version 1.8.1, allowing an attacker to potentially exploit an out-of-bounds read vulnerability, leading to a Denial of Service attack or unauthorized access to client memory.

Understanding CVE-2019-3860

This CVE pertains to a security issue in libssh2 version 1.8.1.

What is CVE-2019-3860?

CVE-2019-3860 is an out-of-bounds read flaw in libssh2 before version 1.8.1, affecting the parsing of SFTP packets with empty payloads.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3860

The vulnerability allows an attacker who gains control of an SSH server to potentially execute a Denial of Service attack or access client memory without authorization.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3860

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in libssh2 before version 1.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a Denial of Service or read data in client memory due to improper parsing of SFTP packets.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: libssh2
Vendor: The libssh2 Project
Affected Version: 1.8.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
CVSS Base Score: 5 (Medium)
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact: Low

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-3860 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update libssh2 to version 1.8.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on SSH servers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running libssh2 are updated to version 1.8.1 or above to address the vulnerability.