CVE-2019-19481 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OpenSC versions 0.19.0 and 0.20.x up to 0.20.0-rc3 have a vulnerability in libopensc/card-cac1.c that mishandles buffer limits for CAC certificates.

Understanding CVE-2019-19481

This CVE involves a problem in OpenSC versions that can lead to security issues.

What is CVE-2019-19481?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in OpenSC versions 0.19.0 and 0.20.x up to 0.20.0-rc3 related to the handling of buffer limits for CAC certificates.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19481

The vulnerability can potentially be exploited to cause security breaches or denial of service attacks on systems using affected OpenSC versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19481

OpenSC vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in libopensc/card-cac1.c, where buffer limits for CAC certificates are not handled correctly, posing a security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

OpenSC versions 0.19.0 and 0.20.x up to 0.20.0-rc3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to manipulate CAC certificates, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-19481.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenSC to a patched version that addresses the buffer limit issue.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OpenSC promptly to fix the buffer limit mishandling and enhance system security.