CVE-2021-3420 : What You Need to Know

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in newlib versions prior to 4.0.0, tracked as CVE-2021-3420.

Understanding CVE-2021-3420

This section will cover the details related to CVE-2021-3420.

What is CVE-2021-3420?

CVE-2021-3420 is a vulnerability found in newlib versions prior to 4.0.0. The issue arises from improper overflow validation in memory allocation functions in newlib, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3420

The vulnerability can be exploited by causing an integer overflow, resulting in the allocation of a small buffer and leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3420

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-3420.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from inadequate overflow validation in memory allocation functions like mEMALIGn, pvALLOc, nano_memalign, nano_valloc, and nano_pvalloc.

Affected Systems and Versions

newlib versions prior to 4.0.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting an integer overflow, attackers can trigger the allocation of a small buffer, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will discuss measures to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-3420.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update newlib to version 4.0.0 or later to address this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices and perform regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from newlib and promptly apply patches to secure your systems.