CVE-2021-40985 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2021-40985 article provides details about a stack-based buffer under-read vulnerability in htmldoc before version 1.9.12, enabling attackers to launch a denial of service attack using a specially crafted BMP image.

Understanding CVE-2021-40985

This section delves into the critical aspects of CVE-2021-40985.

What is CVE-2021-40985?

The vulnerability found in htmldoc before version 1.9.12 allows threat actors to exploit a stack-based buffer under-read, leading to a denial of service via a malicious BMP image.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40985

The presence of this vulnerability could result in severe repercussions:

Attackers can leverage a crafted BMP image to trigger a denial of service attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40985

Explore the technical specifics of the CVE-2021-40985 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in htmldoc before version 1.9.12 is a stack-based buffer under-read that stems from improper image loading, making it possible for threat actors to orchestrate denial of service attacks using a specifically designed BMP image.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Vulnerable Versions: All versions prior to 1.9.12

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers by providing a malicious BMP image to the image_load_bmp function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent the risks associated with CVE-2021-40985.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2021-40985, immediate mitigation steps include:

Update htmldoc to version 1.9.12 or above.
Exercise caution when handling BMP images from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Ensure long-term security by following these practices:

Regularly update software to the latest versions.
Implement robust security measures to detect and block malicious images.

Patching and Updates

Stay protected by applying the latest patches and updates provided by the htmldoc developers.