Newlib libc Library up to 3.2.x mprec.c __multadd null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in Newlib libc Library up to 3.2.x. Affected by this vulnerability is the function __multadd in the library newlib/libc/stdlib/mprec.c. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2019-14873. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Newlib libc Library up to 3.2.x (Software Library). It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function __multadd in the library newlib/libc/stdlib/mprec.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the __multadd function of the newlib libc library, prior to versions 3.3.0 (see newlib/libc/stdlib/mprec.c), Balloc is used to allocate a big integer, however no check is performed to verify if the allocation succeeded or not. This will trigger a null pointer dereference bug in case of a memory allocation failure.

The weakness was published 03/19/2020 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at census-labs.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2019-14873 since 08/10/2019. The attack can be launched remotely. A single authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 256683 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2019-14873), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 3.3.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (256683). Similar entries are available at VDB-151814, VDB-151854, VDB-151856 and VDB-151857. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.7

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 6.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.5
CNA Vector (Red Hat, Inc.): 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 256683
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2019-14873

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: libc Library 3.3.0

Timelineinfo

08/10/2019 🔍
03/19/2020 +222 days 🔍
03/20/2020 +1 days 🔍
08/27/2025 +1986 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: census-labs.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2019-14873 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2019-14873
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-151855
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/20/2020 07:46
Updated: 08/27/2025 20:41
Changes: 03/20/2020 07:46 (41), 03/20/2020 07:51 (12), 04/17/2024 17:19 (34), 08/27/2025 20:41 (5)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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