CVE-2021-3479 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
CVE-2021-3479 impacts OpenEXR versions before 3.0.0-beta by allowing attackers to exhaust memory, affecting system availability. Learn about the vulnerability and mitigation steps here.
A flaw in OpenEXR's Scanline API functionality could allow an attacker to trigger excessive memory consumption, impacting system availability.
Understanding CVE-2021-3479
OpenEXR versions before 3.0.0-beta are vulnerable to a flaw that could lead to a denial of service attack by causing memory exhaustion.
What is CVE-2021-3479?
CVE-2021-3479 is a vulnerability in OpenEXR that allows an attacker to exploit the Scanline API functionality, resulting in excessive memory consumption.
The Impact of CVE-2021-3479
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a denial of service condition by consuming large amounts of memory, affecting system availability.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-3479
This section covers the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2021-3479 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in OpenEXR's Scanline API functionality before version 3.0.0-beta enables an attacker to cause excessive memory consumption, posing a risk to system availability.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts OpenEXR version 3.0.0-beta and earlier, making systems running these versions susceptible to memory exhaustion attacks.
Exploitation Mechanism
By submitting a crafted file to OpenEXR for processing, an attacker can trigger the vulnerability, leading to the excessive consumption of memory and subsequent denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-3479, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update OpenEXR to version 3.0.0-beta or later to mitigate the risk of memory consumption attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly monitoring for security updates, conducting security assessments, and implementing secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Applying patches released by OpenEXR and staying informed about security advisories are crucial for maintaining system security.