CVE-2018-6541 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

ZZIPlib version 0.13.67 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to a bus error caused by a misaligned address loading issue. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability using a specially crafted zip file.

Understanding CVE-2018-6541

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in ZZIPlib version 0.13.67 that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-6541?

In ZZIPlib 0.13.67, a bus error occurs when handling disk64_trailer local entries in the function __zzip_fetch_disk_trailer, located in zzip/zip.c. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service by utilizing a malicious zip file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6541

The vulnerability in ZZIPlib version 0.13.67 can be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service, potentially disrupting the availability of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6541

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE entry.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ZZIPlib 0.13.67 is due to a bus error caused by loading a misaligned address when handling disk64_trailer local entries in the function __zzip_fetch_disk_trailer.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ZZIPlib
Vendor: N/A
Version: 0.13.67

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using a specially crafted zip file to trigger the bus error, leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-6541, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ZZIPlib to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Avoid opening zip files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest secure versions.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the vendor to fix the vulnerability in ZZIPlib version 0.13.67.