CVE-2018-10184 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability was identified in HAProxy versions prior to 1.8.8 where the validation of the incoming H2 frame length was incorrectly done, potentially leading to a heap overflow.

Understanding CVE-2018-10184

This CVE involves a vulnerability in HAProxy versions before 1.8.8 that could result in a heap overflow due to incorrect validation of incoming H2 frame length.

What is CVE-2018-10184?

HAProxy versions prior to 1.8.8 incorrectly validated incoming H2 frame length against the max_frame_size setting, potentially causing a heap overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10184

The vulnerability could allow for a heap overflow of up to 16 kB, leading to a system crash, although the likelihood of code execution is low due to buffer unpredictability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10184

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from incorrect validation of incoming H2 frame length against the max_frame_size setting, potentially causing a heap overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

HAProxy versions prior to 1.8.8

Exploitation Mechanism

A large frame size advertised in the SETTINGS frame could lead to a heap overflow of up to 16 kB.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-10184, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update HAProxy to version 1.8.8 or later.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by HAProxy to fix the vulnerability.