CVE-2023-29659 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A Segmentation fault caused by a floating point exception exists in libheif 1.15.1 using crafted heif images via the heif::Fraction::round() function in box.cc, which causes a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2023-29659

This article provides insights into CVE-2023-29659, detailing the vulnerability, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-29659?

CVE-2023-29659 refers to a Segmentation fault vulnerability triggered by a floating point exception in libheif 1.15.1. The flaw occurs when processing specially crafted heif images through the heif::Fraction::round() function in box.cc, leading to a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29659

The impact of this CVE is the disruption of service due to the segmentation fault caused by the floating point exception. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially orchestrate denial of service attacks against systems using the affected version of libheif.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29659

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises in libheif 1.15.1 when processing manipulated heif images through the heif::Fraction::round() function in box.cc, resulting in a Segmentation fault and denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts systems running libheif 1.15.1. Users of this version are at risk of exploitation leading to service disruption.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting malicious heif images and utilizing the heif::Fraction::round() function in box.cc, threat actors can trigger a floating point exception, causing a Segmentation fault and initiating a denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Outlined below are key steps for immediate response and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-29659.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update libheif to a non-vulnerable version to prevent exploitation.
Implement network-level protections to detect and block malicious image payloads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software components to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate weaknesses in image processing functions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by libheif to address CVE-2023-29659.