CVE-2020-23911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2020-23911, assigned by MITRE, involves a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in asn1c through v0.9.28, potentially leading to Denial of Service attacks.

Understanding CVE-2020-23911

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the asn1c software.

What is CVE-2020-23911?

The vulnerability in asn1c through v0.9.28 allows attackers to exploit a NULL pointer dereference in the _default_error_logger() function in asn1fix.c, enabling them to trigger Denial of Service incidents.

The Impact of CVE-2020-23911

The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in Denial of Service attacks, disrupting the normal operation of the affected software or system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-23911

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the _default_error_logger() function in asn1fix.c within asn1c through v0.9.28.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions: All versions up to v0.9.28 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating certain inputs to trigger the NULL pointer dereference, leading to a Denial of Service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-23911 requires specific actions.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update asn1c to a version beyond v0.9.28 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability effectively.