CVE-2021-37618 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed analysis of CVE-2021-37618 highlighting the vulnerability, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-37618

This section provides insights into the CVE-2021-37618 vulnerability affecting Exiv2.

What is CVE-2021-37618?

CVE-2021-37618 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Exiv2, a command-line utility, and C++ library used for image file metadata manipulation. The vulnerability exists in Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier, triggered while printing metadata of a manipulated image file. Attackers could exploit this to trigger denial of service attacks by tricking victims into running Exiv2 on the malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37618

The impact of CVE-2021-37618 is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 4.7. The vulnerability could lead to a denial of service if exploited successfully. It is crucial to address this issue promptly to prevent potential attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37618

Explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-37618 below.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds read operation when printing the image ICC profile using Exiv2 with the

-p C

command line option in versions v0.27.4 and below.

Affected Systems and Versions

Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious image file and tricking users into executing Exiv2 on it. This triggers the out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-37618 vulnerability effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Exiv2 to version v0.27.5 or later to patch the vulnerability. Avoid using the

-p C

option until the patch is applied to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate regular software updates and security patches into your routine to stay protected against emerging threats like CVE-2021-37618.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Exiv2 to address vulnerabilities promptly and enhance system security.