CVE-2020-12723 : Security Advisory and Response

Perl before 5.30.3 allows a buffer overflow via a crafted regular expression due to recursive S_study_chunk calls.

Understanding CVE-2020-12723

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Perl that could be exploited through a specific type of regular expression, potentially leading to a buffer overflow.

What is CVE-2020-12723?

This CVE refers to a security issue in Perl versions prior to 5.30.3 that enables a buffer overflow by utilizing a maliciously crafted regular expression. The vulnerability arises from recursive calls to S_study_chunk in regcomp.c.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12723

The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the application, posing a significant risk to the integrity and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12723

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in regcomp.c in Perl before 5.30.3 permits a buffer overflow through recursive S_study_chunk calls, triggered by a specially crafted regular expression.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Perl
Vendor: Perl
Versions affected: All versions before 5.30.3

Exploitation Mechanism

The buffer overflow is exploited by creating a malicious regular expression that triggers recursive S_study_chunk calls, leading to the overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-12723, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Perl to version 5.30.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities or signs of exploitation on the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement code reviews and security testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in the early stages.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Perl to fix the buffer overflow vulnerability and enhance the security of the software.