CVE-2018-19183 : Security Advisory and Response

Ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting a specific attribute, leading to a failure in vm.runCode and resulting in a REVERT.

Understanding CVE-2018-19183

This CVE involves a vulnerability in ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 that can be exploited to trigger a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-19183?

The vulnerability in ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 allows attackers to provoke a denial of service by exploiting a particular attribute, causing a failure in vm.runCode and resulting in a REVERT.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19183

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, impacting the availability and functionality of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19183

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 enables attackers to trigger a denial of service by exploiting a specific attribute, leading to a failure in vm.runCode and causing a REVERT.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: 2.4.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by using the "code: Buffer.from(my_code, 'hex')" attribute, resulting in a failure of vm.runCode and triggering a REVERT.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ethereumjs-vm to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation and sanitization to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software components, including ethereumjs-vm, are regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.