CVE-2020-16588 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2020-16588, a Null Pointer Deference vulnerability in OpenEXR 2.3.0 that can lead to denial of service attacks. Find out how to mitigate and prevent this issue.
A Null Pointer Deference issue in Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR 2.3.0 can lead to a denial of service through a crafted EXR file.
Understanding CVE-2020-16588
This CVE involves a vulnerability in OpenEXR 2.3.0 that could result in a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2020-16588?
CVE-2020-16588 is a Null Pointer Deference issue found in the generatePreview function in makePreview.cpp within OpenEXR 2.3.0. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker using a specially crafted EXR file to cause a denial of service on the affected system.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16588
The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for a denial of service attack, where an attacker could exploit the Null Pointer Deference issue to crash the application or system, rendering it unavailable for legitimate users.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16588
This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the generatePreview function in makePreview.cpp in OpenEXR 2.3.0, allowing an attacker to trigger a denial of service condition by using a malicious EXR file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Vendor: n/a
- Product: n/a
- Versions Affected: All versions are affected.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker by crafting a malicious EXR file and causing the application to dereference a null pointer, leading to a denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16588 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the security update provided by the vendor promptly.
- Avoid opening EXR files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the latest security updates and patches are applied to the OpenEXR software to mitigate the CVE-2020-16588 vulnerability.