CVE-2021-46022 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2021-46022 is an Use-After-Free vulnerability in rec_mset_elem_destroy() at rec-mset.c of GNU Recutils v1.8.90. This vulnerability can result in a segmentation fault or application crash.

Understanding CVE-2021-46022

What is CVE-2021-46022?

An Use-After-Free vulnerability in rec_mset_elem_destroy() at rec-mset.c of GNU Recutils v1.8.90 can lead to a segmentation fault or application crash.

The Impact of CVE-2021-46022

This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service, posing a significant risk to the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-46022

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability occurs due to improper memory operations, leading to the release of memory that is still being referenced.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Version: n/a (affected)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating memory content post-deallocation to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches and updates promptly.
Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for any patches or workarounds.

Long-Term Security Practices

Practice the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploits.
Conduct regular security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Employ secure coding practices and utilize memory-safe languages when possible.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the affected GNU Recutils v1.8.90 is updated with the latest patches provided by the vendor to mitigate the CVE-2021-46022 vulnerability.