CVE-2021-37622 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-37622, an Exiv2 vulnerability allowing denial of service via infinite loop when modifying metadata of a crafted image file. Find mitigation steps and updates.
This article provides details about CVE-2021-37622, a vulnerability in Exiv2 that could lead to a denial of service due to an infinite loop triggered by modifying metadata of a crafted image file.
Understanding CVE-2021-37622
Exiv2 is a command-line utility and C++ library used for managing image file metadata. The vulnerability in versions <= 0.27.4 could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service by tricking the victim into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file.
What is CVE-2021-37622?
CVE-2021-37622 is an infinite loop vulnerability discovered in Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier. It is triggered when modifying metadata of a crafted image file, specifically when deleting the less frequently used IPTC data.
The Impact of CVE-2021-37622
If exploited, the vulnerability could result in a denial of service condition, affecting systems running the vulnerable Exiv2 versions. An attacker could potentially crash the Exiv2 utility by creating a crafted image file.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-37622
The following technical details outline the vulnerability in Exiv2:
Vulnerability Description
The infinite loop arises when modifying metadata of a crafted image file using Exiv2, specifically when deleting the IPTC data.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file with a command line option to delete IPTC data.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2021-37622 with the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Exiv2 to version v0.27.5 or later to fix the infinite loop vulnerability.
- Avoid running Exiv2 on untrusted or crafted image files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Exiv2 to the latest version to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Educate users about the risks of running utilities on untrusted files.
Patching and Updates
Refer to the vendor advisories for patches and updates: