VCFtools 0.1.15 VCF File header.cpp add_FORMAT_descriptor use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in VCFtools 0.1.15 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function header::add_FORMAT_descriptor of the file header.cpp of the component VCF File Handler. The manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2018-11130. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in VCFtools 0.1.15. Affected is the function header::add_FORMAT_descriptor of the file header.cpp of the component VCF File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The header::add_FORMAT_descriptor function in header.cpp in VCFtools 0.1.15 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted vcf file.

The bug was discovered 05/16/2018. The weakness was shared 05/17/2018 as confirmed mailinglist post (Full-Disclosure). The advisory is available at seclists.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2018-11130 since 05/15/2018. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 120876 (Fedora 28 : vcftools (2018-ea05fcd378)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Fedora Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 197456 (Ubuntu Security Notification for Vcftools Vulnerabilities (USN-3974-1)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 9 months after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (120876). The entries VDB-117950 and VDB-117953 are related to this item. If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

Name

• VCFtools

Version

• 0.1.15

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍

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If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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