CVE-2019-12220 : What You Need to Know

A problem has been found in the library libSDL2.a in Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) 2.0.9 when used together with the library libSDL2_image.a in SDL2_image 2.0.4. The function SDL_FreePalette_REAL in the file video/SDL_pixels.c within SDL has an issue that causes an out-of-bounds read.

Understanding CVE-2019-12220

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the SDL library that can lead to an out-of-bounds read.

What is CVE-2019-12220?

CVE-2019-12220 is a security vulnerability found in the SDL library when used in conjunction with SDL2_image. The specific function SDL_FreePalette_REAL is affected, leading to an out-of-bounds read.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12220

This vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12220

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the SDL function SDL_FreePalette_REAL in the file video/SDL_pixels.c, causing an out-of-bounds read.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: n/a
Vendor: n/a
Versions: SDL 2.0.9 and SDL2_image 2.0.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger the out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to further malicious actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-12220 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by the respective vendors promptly.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the system that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious traffic targeting the SDL library.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the SDL library and SDL2_image are updated to versions that contain fixes for CVE-2019-12220.