CVE-2021-45343 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2021-45343 relates to a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in LibreCAD 2.2.0, specifically in the HATCH handling of libdxfrw, which can be exploited by an attacker to crash the application using a malicious DXF document.

Understanding CVE-2021-45343

This CVE highlights a critical vulnerability in LibreCAD that could be abused to disrupt the application's functionality.

What is CVE-2021-45343?

A NULL pointer dereference flaw in LibreCAD 2.2.0's HATCH processing of libdxfrw allows an adversary to execute a denial-of-service attack by causing the program to crash with a specially crafted DXF file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45343

This vulnerability can be leveraged by threat actors to trigger application crashes, potentially leading to service disruption and a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45343

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in question arises from a NULL pointer dereference in LibreCAD 2.2.0's libdxfrw HATCH processing, enabling a crash when processing a malicious DXF document.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by creating a specially crafted DXF file to trigger the NULL pointer dereference, leading to a crash of LibreCAD.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and mitigate this vulnerability, follow the steps outlined below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update LibreCAD to the latest version available.
Avoid opening DXF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch security vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure you stay informed about security patches released by LibreCAD to address this vulnerability.