CVE-2021-45848 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2021-45848 is a Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability in Nicotine+ 3.0.3 and later versions, allowing a user to crash Nicotine+ by sending a specific file download request. This CVE was published on March 15, 2022.

Understanding CVE-2021-45848

The vulnerability allows a user with a modified Soulseek client to exploit Nicotine+ by manipulating a file download request, resulting in a DoS condition.

What is CVE-2021-45848?

The CVE-2021-45848 vulnerability in Nicotine+ 3.0.3 and later versions enables a user to crash the application by sending a file download request with a specific malformed file path.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45848

The vulnerability can be exploited by a malicious user to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) condition on the Nicotine+ application, impacting its availability and potentially disrupting services.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45848

The technical aspects of the CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to the mishandling of file download requests in Nicotine+ 3.0.3 and later versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nicotine+ versions 3.0.3 and later are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending a file download request with a file path containing a null character, a user with a modified Soulseek client can trigger the crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-45848, consider the following:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement network-level protections to filter out malformed requests.
Regularly monitor and audit file download requests within Nicotine+.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on safe file-sharing practices and potential risks.
Keep Nicotine+ updated with the latest security patches and version releases.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Nicotine+ promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance the application's security.