CVE-2020-24241 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In Netwide Assembler (NASM) 2.15rc10, there is a heap use-after-free vulnerability in saa_wbytes in nasmlib/saa.c.

Understanding CVE-2020-24241

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in NASM version 2.15rc10.

What is CVE-2020-24241?

The vulnerability involves a heap use-after-free issue in the saa_wbytes function within nasmlib/saa.c in NASM 2.15rc10.

The Impact of CVE-2020-24241

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-24241

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a heap use-after-free issue in the saa_wbytes function in NASM 2.15rc10.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Netwide Assembler (NASM)
Version: 2.15rc10

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to trigger the use-after-free condition in the saa_wbytes function, potentially leading to code execution or DoS.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update NASM to a patched version that addresses the heap use-after-free vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories for any patches or workarounds.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent memory-related vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by NASM to fix the heap use-after-free vulnerability.