CVE-2021-33456 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in yasm version 1.3.0 that leads to a NULL pointer dereference in hash() in modules/preprocs/nasm/nasm-pp.c.

Understanding CVE-2021-33456

This CVE record highlights a vulnerability in yasm version 1.3.0 related to a NULL pointer dereference issue.

What is CVE-2021-33456?

The CVE-2021-33456 pertains to a specific problem in the hash() function within the modules/preprocs/nasm/nasm-pp.c file in yasm version 1.3.0.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33456

Exploitation of this vulnerability could potentially lead to a NULL pointer dereference, causing the application to crash or potentially enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33456

This section provides detailed technical insights into the CVE-2021-33456 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the hash() function within the specified file path of yasm version 1.3.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system includes yasm version 1.3.0. Users utilizing this version are susceptible to the NULL pointer dereference issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious input that triggers the hash() function, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-33456, users should take immediate actions and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update yasm to a patched version where the NULL pointer dereference issue has been resolved.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software packages and dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities and minimize the attack surface.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by the software vendor and promptly apply patches to keep systems secure.