CVE-2020-11105 : What You Need to Know

USC iLab cereal through 1.3.0 employs caching of std::shared_ptr values, using the raw pointer address as a unique identifier. This can lead to serialization issues and unexpected consequences.

Understanding CVE-2020-11105

An issue discovered in USC iLab cereal through version 1.3.0 that can impact serialization fidelity due to the caching of std::shared_ptr values.

What is CVE-2020-11105?

USC iLab cereal through 1.3.0 caches std::shared_ptr values using raw pointer addresses as unique identifiers.
Serialization fidelity can be compromised if a new std::shared_ptr is allocated at the same address after the original is freed.
This can result in unexpected consequences depending on the serialization context.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11105

Serialization of std::shared_ptr variables may not always return to their original values.
Memory layout dependency can lead to data integrity issues and potential vulnerabilities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11105

A deeper look into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

USC iLab cereal through 1.3.0 faces a serialization issue due to caching std::shared_ptr values with raw pointer addresses.

Affected Systems and Versions

USC iLab cereal versions up to 1.3.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires knowledge of the serialization process and memory layout intricacies.

Mitigation and Prevention

Best practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-11105.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update USC iLab cereal to a patched version that addresses the serialization issue.
Avoid relying solely on std::shared_ptr caching for critical data serialization.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to minimize dependencies on memory layout for data integrity.
Regularly review and update serialization mechanisms to ensure data fidelity.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for USC iLab cereal and promptly apply patches to mitigate vulnerabilities.