CVE-2021-29931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in the arenavec crate through 2021-01-12 for Rust, where a double drop can sometimes occur upon a panic in T::drop().

Understanding CVE-2021-29931

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the arenavec crate used in Rust, leading to a potential double drop issue.

What is CVE-2021-29931?

CVE-2021-29931 is a vulnerability found in the arenavec crate for Rust, where under certain conditions, a double drop operation can occur, specifically in T::drop() upon a panic.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29931

This vulnerability could potentially lead to memory corruption and other undefined behavior, affecting the stability and security of Rust applications utilizing the affected crate.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29931

The following technical aspects outline the specifics of CVE-2021-29931.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the arenavec crate through 2021-01-12 for Rust allows for a double drop scenario during a panic in T::drop(), which can lead to unexpected behavior and memory issues.

Affected Systems and Versions

This vulnerability affects the arenavec crate in Rust through the specified date of 2021-01-12.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability could occur when a panic situation triggers the T::drop() function, causing a double drop scenario.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the risks associated with CVE-2021-29931, consider the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Developers should update their Rust applications to use a patched version of the arenavec crate that addresses the double drop issue to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopt secure coding practices, conduct regular code reviews, and stay informed about security updates in Rust ecosystems to enhance the resilience of applications against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with the RustSec advisory RUSTSEC-2021-0040 and apply relevant patches and updates to the affected applications to ensure they are protected against CVE-2021-29931.