CVE-2019-9038 : Security Advisory and Response

A problem was found in the libmatio.a library within matio 1.5.13, also known as the MAT File I/O Library. Specifically, there is a SEGV error in the ReadNextCell() function located in mat5.c, which results in an out-of-bounds read issue.

Understanding CVE-2019-9038

An issue was discovered in libmatio.a in matio (aka MAT File I/O Library) 1.5.13. There is an out-of-bounds read problem with a SEGV in the function ReadNextCell() in mat5.c.

What is CVE-2019-9038?

CVE-2019-9038 is a vulnerability in the matio library version 1.5.13, leading to an out-of-bounds read issue in the ReadNextCell() function.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9038

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

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9038

The technical details of the CVE-2019-9038 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a SEGV error in the ReadNextCell() function in mat5.c, leading to an out-of-bounds read issue in the libmatio.a library.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: 1.5.13

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by triggering the out-of-bounds read issue in the ReadNextCell() function, potentially leading to a DoS or arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the CVE-2019-9038 vulnerability, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest patches or updates provided by the vendor.
Monitor official sources for any security advisories related to matio.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation and boundary checks in code to prevent similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the matio library is updated to a version that includes a fix for the out-of-bounds read issue in the ReadNextCell() function.