CVE-2019-9036 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was found in libmatio.a within matio (MAT File I/O Library) version 1.5.13, impacting the function ReadNextFunctionHandle() in mat5.c with a heap-based buffer overflow.

Understanding CVE-2019-9036

This CVE entry highlights a specific vulnerability within the matio library version 1.5.13.

What is CVE-2019-9036?

The vulnerability in libmatio.a within matio version 1.5.13 involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the ReadNextFunctionHandle() function in mat5.c.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9036

The heap-based buffer overflow could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service attacks by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9036

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the ReadNextFunctionHandle() function in mat5.c, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow in libmatio.a within matio version 1.5.13.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: 1.5.13

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious MAT file that triggers the buffer overflow when processed by the ReadNextFunctionHandle() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-9036 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update matio to a patched version that addresses the heap-based buffer overflow.
Implement input validation to prevent malformed MAT files from triggering the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software libraries and dependencies to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and code reviews to identify and address potential buffer overflow issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of patches and updates provided by the matio library maintainers to address the CVE-2019-9036 vulnerability.