Critical Vulnerability in libevent: Out-of-Bounds Stack Read Risk
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2016-10195: The name_parse function in evdns.c in libevent before 2.1.6-beta allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors involving the label_len variable, which triggers an out-of-bounds stack read. Affects libevent versions < 2.1.8-r0. Fixed in 2.1.8-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
libevent is a widely-used library that provides asynchronous I/O and event notification for network applications. It is designed to facilitate the development of high-performance network servers and clients by abstracting the underlying event notification mechanisms. The library supports multiple backends, making it versatile for various operating systems. However, it has been found to be vulnerable to a critical issue that could allow remote attackers to exploit the system.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2016-10195, originates from the name_parse function in evdns.c within libevent versions prior to 2.1.6-beta. It allows remote attackers to trigger an out-of-bounds stack read via vectors involving the label_len variable. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.1.8-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade libeventTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected services until the update can be applied. Additionally, monitor your application for any unusual activity that may indicate an attempted exploit.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in libevent poses a significant risk to systems utilizing the library. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate potential exploitation. Regular monitoring and adherence to security best practices can further enhance system security.
See every vulnerability recorded for libevent →
FAQ
CVE-2016-10195 is a vulnerability in the libevent library that allows remote attackers to exploit an out-of-bounds stack read.
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Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level.
Implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected services and monitor for unusual activity until the update can be applied.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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