CVE-2021-42614 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Halibut 1.2 allows an attacker to cause a segmentation fault or other impacts via a crafted text document.

Understanding CVE-2021-42614

A use after free vulnerability in Halibut 1.2 can lead to severe consequences if exploited.

What is CVE-2021-42614?

CVE-2021-42614 is a use after free vulnerability found in Halibut 1.2, enabling attackers to trigger a segmentation fault or potentially cause other unspecified impacts by using a specially crafted text document.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42614

This vulnerability allows attackers to disrupt the normal operation of the software and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system, leading to a denial of service or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42614

Halibut 1.2 vulnerability details and impact analysis.

Vulnerability Description

The use after free vulnerability resides in the info_width_internal function in bk_info.c within Halibut 1.2, enabling attackers to manipulate memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to a segmentation fault or other impacts when processing malicious text documents.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Halibut 1.2
Vendor: N/A
Versions: All versions of Halibut 1.2 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by providing a specially crafted text document to the affected Halibut 1.2 software, which triggers the use after free condition, allowing an attacker to disrupt the program's execution and potentially execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Measures to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-42614.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches or updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability in Halibut 1.2.
Exercise caution when opening text documents from untrusted sources to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
Employ intrusion detection systems and security monitoring to detect unusual behavior or attempted exploits.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to apply patches and updates from the Halibut vendor promptly to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance the security posture of the software.