CVE-2021-32815 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-32815, a vulnerability in Exiv2 impacting versions below 0.27.5. Explore its impact, mitigation steps, and available patches.
This article discusses CVE-2021-32815, a vulnerability that could lead to a denial of service due to an assertion failure in crwimage_int.cpp.
Understanding CVE-2021-32815
Exiv2, a command-line utility and C++ library for modifying image file metadata, is susceptible to a denial-of-service attack triggered by an assertion failure when modifying the metadata of a crafted image file.
What is CVE-2021-32815?
The vulnerability arises in Exiv2 when modifying metadata, a less common operation compared to reading metadata. An attacker could exploit this flaw by tricking users into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file.
The Impact of CVE-2021-32815
An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could cause a denial of service by triggering the assertion failure in Exiv2, leading to potential disruption in image metadata operations.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-32815
The vulnerability is present in Exiv2 versions prior to v0.27.5 and is fixed in version v0.27.5. The bug fix and regression test can be found in issue #1739 on GitHub.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious image file and trigger an assertion failure when modifying its metadata using Exiv2, potentially causing a denial of service.
Affected Systems and Versions
Vendor: Exiv2 Product: exiv2 Affected Version: < 0.27.5
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited when an attacker convinces a user to modify the metadata of a crafted image file using Exiv2.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2021-32815, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should update Exiv2 to version v0.27.5 to mitigate the vulnerability. Caution is advised when handling crafted image files.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly update software, maintain awareness of security advisories, and exercise caution when interacting with untrusted image files.
Patching and Updates
Refer to the provided references for patching information and security updates from Exiv2.