CVE-2020-28163 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2020-28163, assigned by MITRE, pertains to a vulnerability in libdwarf before 20201201 that allows a NULL pointer dereference and application crash. The issue arises from an invalid FORM for a pathname in a DWARF5 line-table header.

Understanding CVE-2020-28163

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the libdwarf library that can lead to a crash due to a NULL pointer dereference.

What is CVE-2020-28163?

CVE-2020-28163 is a security vulnerability in libdwarf before version 20201201 that can be exploited to cause a crash by manipulating a DWARF5 line-table header.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28163

The vulnerability can result in a denial of service (DoS) condition, leading to application crashes and potential instability in affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28163

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in libdwarf before 20201201 allows for a NULL pointer dereference and application crash due to an invalid FORM for a pathname in a DWARF5 line-table header.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions: All versions are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious input that triggers the invalid FORM for a pathname in the DWARF5 line-table header.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28163 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor.
Monitor official sources for security advisories related to libdwarf.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the libdwarf library is updated to version 20201201 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.