CVE-2021-29473 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-29473, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Exiv2 affecting versions prior to v0.27.4.

Understanding CVE-2021-29473

This section provides insights into the nature of the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2021-29473?

CVE-2021-29473 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Exiv2, a C++ library and command-line utility for metadata manipulation in image files. The vulnerability exists in Exiv2 versions v0.27.3 and earlier.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29473

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to trigger a denial of service by crashing Exiv2 when attempting to write metadata into a specially crafted image file. This could occur if the victim is lured into running Exiv2 on the malicious image file.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29473

Explore the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The out-of-bounds read arises when Exiv2 is used to write metadata, a less common operation compared to reading metadata. It can be triggered by adding specific command-line arguments, such as

insert

, to the Exiv2 application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Exiv2 versions prior to v0.27.4.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this issue to crash Exiv2 and potentially disrupt the system's availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn about the necessary steps to address and mitigate CVE-2021-29473.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Exiv2 to version v0.27.4 or later to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability. Avoid running Exiv2 on untrusted or suspicious image files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopt secure coding practices, regularly update software components, and exercise caution when handling external image files.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches and updates released by Exiv2 to address known vulnerabilities.