CVE-2020-12762 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2020-12762 is a vulnerability in json-c through version 0.14 that allows an integer overflow and out-of-bounds write when processing large JSON files.

Understanding CVE-2020-12762

What is CVE-2020-12762?

This CVE identifies a security flaw in the json-c library that can be exploited via a large JSON file, leading to an integer overflow and out-of-bounds write, as demonstrated by printbuf_memappend.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12762

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) on systems using the affected json-c library.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12762

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to improper input validation in json-c, allowing an attacker to craft a malicious JSON file triggering an integer overflow and out-of-bounds write.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions: All versions up to and including 0.14 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker by providing a specially crafted large JSON file to the vulnerable json-c library, triggering the integer overflow and out-of-bounds write.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update json-c to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software libraries and components to their latest secure versions.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates provided by the json-c library maintainers.