CVE-2020-15306 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in OpenEXR before v2.5.2. Invalid chunkCount attributes could cause a heap buffer overflow in getChunkOffsetTableSize() in IlmImf/ImfMisc.cpp.

Understanding CVE-2020-15306

What is CVE-2020-15306?

CVE-2020-15306 is a vulnerability found in OpenEXR before version 2.5.2, leading to a heap buffer overflow due to invalid chunkCount attributes.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15306

This vulnerability could be exploited to trigger a heap buffer overflow, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15306

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from invalid chunkCount attributes causing a heap buffer overflow in getChunkOffsetTableSize() in IlmImf/ImfMisc.cpp.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OpenEXR
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before v2.5.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious input that triggers the heap buffer overflow, potentially leading to code execution or denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenEXR to version 2.5.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflows and other common vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by OpenEXR promptly to address this vulnerability.