CVE-2021-42779 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A heap use after free issue was found in Opensc before version 0.22.0 in sc_file_valid.

Understanding CVE-2021-42779

What is CVE-2021-42779?

CVE-2021-42779 is a heap use after free vulnerability discovered in Opensc before version 0.22.0 specifically in sc_file_valid.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42779

This vulnerability could potentially lead to memory corruption and exploitation by malicious actors, compromising the security and integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42779

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a heap use after free issue in the sc_file_valid function within Opensc versions prior to 0.22.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: Opensc
Affected Version: Opensc 0.22.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to trigger the heap use after free condition in Opensc, potentially leading to unauthorized system access or denial of service attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Opensc to version 0.22.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories from Opensc and related vendors for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ secure coding practices to prevent heap use after free vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments of the software to identify and remediate security flaws.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure the software is up to date and protected against known vulnerabilities.