CVE-2020-15304 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in OpenEXR before 2.5.2. An invalid tiled input file could cause invalid memory access in TiledInputFile::TiledInputFile() in IlmImf/ImfTiledInputFile.cpp, as demonstrated by a NULL pointer dereference.

Understanding CVE-2020-15304

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in OpenEXR that could lead to a NULL pointer dereference due to an invalid tiled input file.

What is CVE-2020-15304?

The CVE-2020-15304 vulnerability is a result of a flaw in OpenEXR versions prior to 2.5.2, allowing attackers to trigger invalid memory access through a specially crafted tiled input file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15304

The impact of this vulnerability includes the potential for attackers to exploit the issue, leading to a NULL pointer dereference and possibly causing a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15304

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in OpenEXR before version 2.5.2 arises from improper handling of tiled input files, resulting in invalid memory access in the TiledInputFile::TiledInputFile() function in IlmImf/ImfTiledInputFile.cpp.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OpenEXR
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before 2.5.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing a specially crafted tiled input file, triggering the NULL pointer dereference in the TiledInputFile::TiledInputFile() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-15304 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenEXR to version 2.5.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent malformed files from causing memory access issues.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OpenEXR promptly to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.