CVE-2019-6285 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-6285, a vulnerability in yaml-cpp (LibYaml-C++) 0.6.2 that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and application crash via a specially crafted YAML file. Find out the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
A specially crafted YAML file can cause a denial of service and crash the application if processed by the SingleDocParser::HandleFlowSequence function in yaml-cpp (also known as LibYaml-C++) 0.6.2.
Understanding CVE-2019-6285
The SingleDocParser::HandleFlowSequence function in yaml-cpp (aka LibYaml-C++) 0.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption and application crash) via a crafted YAML file.
What is CVE-2019-6285?
The vulnerability in yaml-cpp (LibYaml-C++) 0.6.2 enables attackers to trigger a denial of service condition and crash the application by exploiting a specific YAML file.
The Impact of CVE-2019-6285
This vulnerability can be exploited remotely by attackers to disrupt the normal operation of the application, leading to a crash and potential stack consumption.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-6285
The technical details of the CVE-2019-6285 vulnerability are as follows:
Vulnerability Description
- Vulnerability Type: Denial of Service
- Vulnerable Component: SingleDocParser::HandleFlowSequence function
- Affected Software: yaml-cpp (LibYaml-C++) 0.6.2
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Version: 0.6.2
- Systems using yaml-cpp (LibYaml-C++) 0.6.2 are vulnerable to this exploit.
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious YAML file and processing it through the SingleDocParser::HandleFlowSequence function, causing a denial of service and application crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2019-6285, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update yaml-cpp to a non-vulnerable version.
- Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent the processing of malicious YAML files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and update software components to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the yaml-cpp (LibYaml-C++) project to fix the vulnerability.