CVE-2020-17487 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

radare2 4.5.0 misparses signature information in PE files, causing a segmentation fault in r_x509_parse_algorithmidentifier in libr/util/x509.c. This is due to a malformed object identifier in IMAGE_DIRECTORY_ENTRY_SECURITY.

Understanding CVE-2020-17487

This CVE involves a vulnerability in radare2 version 4.5.0 that leads to a segmentation fault due to misparsed signature information in PE files.

What is CVE-2020-17487?

CVE-2020-17487 is a vulnerability in radare2 4.5.0 that results in a segmentation fault in the r_x509_parse_algorithmidentifier function in libr/util/x509.c. The issue stems from a malformed object identifier in IMAGE_DIRECTORY_ENTRY_SECURITY.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17487

The vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition, potentially leading to system instability or crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17487

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in radare2 4.5.0 arises from misparsing signature information in PE files, triggering a segmentation fault in r_x509_parse_algorithmidentifier in libr/util/x509.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: radare2 4.5.0
Systems: Any system running the vulnerable radare2 version

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to craft a malicious PE file with a malformed object identifier in IMAGE_DIRECTORY_ENTRY_SECURITY, leading to a segmentation fault.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-17487 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update radare2 to a patched version or apply vendor-supplied fixes.
Avoid opening untrusted PE files to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms to handle malformed files securely.

Patching and Updates

Check for security advisories from the vendor and apply patches promptly to address the vulnerability.