CVE-2021-44847 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in toxcore allows remote attackers to crash the process or potentially execute arbitrary code via a network packet.

Understanding CVE-2021-44847

What is CVE-2021-44847?

CVE-2021-44847 is a stack-based buffer overflow in the handle_request function in DHT.c in toxcore versions 0.1.9 through 0.1.11 and 0.2.0 through 0.2.12. This vulnerability is caused by an improper length calculation during the handling of received network packets.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44847

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to crash the process or potentially execute arbitrary code by sending a malicious network packet.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44847

Vulnerability Description

A stack-based buffer overflow occurs in the handle_request function in DHT.c in toxcore, leading to a security issue due to improper length calculations during network packet processing.

Affected Systems and Versions

toxcore versions 0.1.9 through 0.1.11
toxcore versions 0.2.0 through 0.2.12

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by sending specially crafted network packets to the affected toxcore instances, triggering the buffer overflow and potentially leading to a crash or arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the recommended patches and updates provided by toxcore promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious or malformed packets.
Consider firewall rules to restrict access to affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update toxcore and other software components to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Educate network users on secure practices to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the patches and updates released by toxcore to address the stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in handle_request function in DHT.c.