CVE-2020-28626 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2020-28626, assigned by Talos, involves multiple code execution vulnerabilities in the Nef polygon-parsing functionality of CGAL libcgal CGAL-5.1.1. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by providing specially crafted malformed files, leading to out-of-bounds reads and type confusion, potentially resulting in code execution.

Understanding CVE-2020-28626

This CVE identifies critical vulnerabilities in the CGAL libcgal library that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.

What is CVE-2020-28626?

CVE-2020-28626 refers to multiple code execution vulnerabilities in CGAL libcgal CGAL-5.1.1, triggered by malicious input, leading to potential code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28626

The vulnerabilities can result in out-of-bounds reads and type confusion, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28626

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper validation of array indexes in the Nef polygon-parsing functionality of CGAL libcgal CGAL-5.1.1.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: CGAL Project
Product: libcgal
Affected Version: CGAL-5.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerabilities can be exploited by providing specially crafted malformed files, triggering out-of-bounds reads and type confusion, ultimately leading to code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28626 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by CGAL Project promptly.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious inputs.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits of the system.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Keep abreast of security advisories and updates from trusted sources.

Patching and Updates

CGAL Project has released security updates to address the vulnerabilities. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the risks.