CVE-2019-5544 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A critical severity issue with a heap overwrite in OpenSLP affects ESXi and Horizon DaaS appliances.

Understanding CVE-2019-5544

What is CVE-2019-5544?

OpenSLP, utilized in ESXi and Horizon DaaS, has a critical heap overwrite vulnerability with a CVSSv3 base score of 9.8.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5544

This vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5544

Vulnerability Description

The issue involves a heap overwrite in OpenSLP, posing a critical risk to ESXi 6.7, 6.5, 6.0, and Horizon DaaS 8.x.

Affected Systems and Versions

ESXi 6.7, 6.5, 6.0 before specific patch releases
Horizon DaaS 8.x before BZ-2467224-Disable_SLPD_service_permanently_801_Hotfix

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without authentication, making it a severe threat to system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by VMware promptly.
Monitor VMware security advisories for updates and follow best practices for secure configurations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential threats.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address any security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates from VMware to mitigate the risk of exploitation.