CVE-2019-9029 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability was identified in the libmatio.a library in matio (MAT File I/O Library) version 1.5.13, leading to an out-of-bounds read in the function Mat_VarReadNextInfo5() in mat5.c.

Understanding CVE-2019-9029

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the matio library version 1.5.13 that can result in a segmentation fault due to an out-of-bounds read in a specific function.

What is CVE-2019-9029?

The vulnerability in the libmatio.a library in matio version 1.5.13 allows for an out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to a segmentation fault (SEGV) when the function Mat_VarReadNextInfo5() in mat5.c is executed.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9029

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the application or potentially executing arbitrary code.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9029

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the libmatio.a library in matio 1.5.13, specifically in the function Mat_VarReadNextInfo5() in mat5.c, where an out-of-bounds read occurs, leading to a SEGV.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: matio (MAT File I/O Library) 1.5.13
Systems using this specific version of the library are vulnerable to the out-of-bounds read issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious input that triggers the out-of-bounds read in the Mat_VarReadNextInfo5() function, potentially leading to a SEGV.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-9029, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of matio that addresses the out-of-bounds read vulnerability.
Monitor official channels for security advisories related to matio.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software libraries and dependencies to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Conduct security assessments and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the matio project to fix the out-of-bounds read vulnerability.