CVE-2021-28876 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of the CVE-2021-28876 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-28876

This section provides detailed insights into CVE-2021-28876, a vulnerability found in Rust's standard library before version 1.52.0.

What is CVE-2021-28876?

CVE-2021-28876 is a panic safety issue within the Zip implementation in Rust's standard library. It arises from multiple calls to __iterator_get_unchecked(), resulting in memory safety violations.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28876

The vulnerability could potentially lead to a memory safety violation due to unmet safety requirements for the TrustedRandomAccess trait in specific panic scenarios.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28876

Explore the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-28876, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Zip implementation issue in Rust's standard library triggers memory safety violations by making redundant calls to __iterator_get_unchecked() during panics.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Rust before 1.52.0 are affected by CVE-2021-28876 due to the panic safety issue in the Zip implementation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires triggering panic scenarios that lead to multiple calls to __iterator_get_unchecked() for the same index.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-28876 and implement effective long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the Rust environment to version 1.52.0 or newer to remediate the Zip implementation panic safety issue.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate secure coding practices and regularly update dependencies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting your systems.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches provided by Rust to address known vulnerabilities.