CVE-2021-39591 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2021-39591 article provides details on a vulnerability found in swftools through 20200710, leading to a Denial of Service through a NULL pointer dereference in the function swf_GetShapeBoundingBox() in swfshape.c.

Understanding CVE-2021-39591

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2021-39591 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-39591?

CVE-2021-39591 is a vulnerability discovered in swftools through 20200710. It allows an attacker to trigger a Denial of Service through a NULL pointer dereference in the function swf_GetShapeBoundingBox() in swfshape.c.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39591

The vulnerability presents a risk of Denial of Service that can be exploited by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39591

This section provides deeper technical insights into the CVE-2021-39591 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

An issue exists in swftools through 20200710 due to a NULL pointer dereference in the function swf_GetShapeBoundingBox() located in swfshape.c, leading to a Denial of Service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: Not Applicable
Affected Versions: Not Applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by causing a NULL pointer dereference in the specific function, enabling an attacker to perform a Denial of Service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-39591.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update to a patched version of swftools, if available.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent NULL pointer dereference.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates for swftools.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep the software up to date with the latest security patches to prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.