CVE-2020-14354 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A possible use-after-free and double-free vulnerability in c-ares lib version 1.16.0 can lead to service crashes, affecting availability.

Understanding CVE-2020-14354

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the c-ares library that could be exploited to crash services utilizing the library.

What is CVE-2020-14354?

CVE-2020-14354 is a use-after-free and double-free vulnerability in c-ares lib version 1.16.0, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt services using the library.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14354

The primary risk posed by this vulnerability is the potential for attackers to cause service disruptions by exploiting the flaw in c-ares lib.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14354

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises in c-ares lib version 1.16.0 when ares_destroy() is called before ares_getaddrinfo() completes, leading to a use-after-free and double-free scenario.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: c-ares
Vendor: n/a
Vulnerable Version: c-ares 1.16.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability by triggering a use-after-free and double-free condition in c-ares lib version 1.16.0.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-14354 involves taking immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update c-ares to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Monitor for any unusual service crashes that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Check for patches or updates from the c-ares library maintainers to address the vulnerability.