CVE-2021-3941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A divide-by-zero vulnerability in OpenEXR 3.1.2's ImfChromaticities.cpp RGBtoXYZ() routine could lead to a denial-of-service condition when processing specially crafted files. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-3941

The CVE-2021-3941 vulnerability in OpenEXR 3.1.2 affects programs linked with OpenEXR due to unchecked division operations in the RGBtoXYZ() routine.

What is CVE-2021-3941?

CVE-2021-3941 is a divide-by-zero vulnerability in OpenEXR 3.1.2's ImfChromaticities.cpp RGBtoXYZ() routine, triggered by a specially crafted file, potentially impacting program availability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3941

Exploiting the vulnerability could result in a denial-of-service condition, affecting programs linked with OpenEXR and compromising system availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3941

The vulnerability lies in the RGBtoXYZ() routine of OpenEXR 3.1.2, where division operations are not validated, leading to a potential divide-by-zero situation.

Vulnerability Description

In the ImfChromaticities.cpp routine RGBtoXYZ(), specific division operations can trigger a divide-by-zero error when encountering certain input conditions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: OpenEXR
Affected Version: OpenEXR 3.1.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Crafted files containing certain parameters could exploit the vulnerability in the RGBtoXYZ() routine, causing division by zero and impacting program availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the CVE-2021-3941 vulnerability, immediate actions and long-term security practices should be followed.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenEXR to the latest patched version to address the divide-by-zero issue.
Exercise caution when processing untrusted files to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software components and libraries to fix known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and error-checking mechanisms in critical routines to prevent similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Refer to official vendor advisories and security alerts for patching guidance and updates to protect systems against CVE-2021-3941.