CVE-2019-6456 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A problem has been identified in version 1.8 of GNU Recutils. The function rec_fex_size() in the file rec-fex.c of librec.a contains a NULL pointer dereference.

Understanding CVE-2019-6456

An issue was discovered in GNU Recutils 1.8, leading to a NULL pointer dereference in the function rec_fex_size() in the file rec-fex.c of librec.a.

What is CVE-2019-6456?

CVE-2019-6456 is a vulnerability found in GNU Recutils version 1.8, specifically in the rec_fex_size() function, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference.

The Impact of CVE-2019-6456

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

Technical Details of CVE-2019-6456

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in a NULL pointer dereference within the rec_fex_size() function in the file rec-fex.c of librec.a in GNU Recutils 1.8.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 1.8 of GNU Recutils

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious input to trigger the NULL pointer dereference, potentially leading to a DoS condition or arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of GNU Recutils to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malicious inputs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest secure versions.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the software vendor to address the NULL pointer dereference issue in GNU Recutils 1.8.