CVE-2021-32617 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A denial of service vulnerability was discovered in Exiv2, affecting versions v0.27.3 and earlier. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service by tricking victims into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file. The bug is fixed in version v0.27.4.

Understanding CVE-2021-32617

Exiv2, a command-line utility and C++ library for image file metadata manipulation, was found to have an inefficient algorithm that could be exploited by attackers.

What is CVE-2021-32617?

The vulnerability in Exiv2 arises from an inefficient algorithm with quadratic complexity present in versions v0.27.3 and earlier. This flaw allows attackers to execute a denial of service attack by manipulating crafted image files.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32617

If successfully exploited, CVE-2021-32617 could lead to a denial of service, affecting the availability of the Exiv2 utility. Attackers could trigger this vulnerability by injecting malicious commands into image files.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32617

The vulnerability in Exiv2 has a base score of 4.7, with a medium severity rating. It exhibits a high attack complexity, requiring user interaction, without the need for any special privileges.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, involving uncontrolled resource consumption due to an inefficient algorithm in Exiv2's metadata writing process.

Affected Systems and Versions

Exiv2 versions up to and including v0.27.3 are impacted by CVE-2021-32617. Users are advised to upgrade to version v0.27.4 to mitigate the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by persuading users to run Exiv2 on a specially crafted image file, triggering the inefficient algorithm and causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-32617, users and administrators should take immediate action to secure their systems and prevent potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Exiv2 to version v0.27.4 to patch the vulnerability and prevent exploitation. Exercise caution when handling image files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to their latest versions to ensure the latest security patches are applied. Monitor security advisories from Exiv2 for any future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Exiv2 to protect systems against known vulnerabilities.