CVE-2021-37615: Null pointer dereference in Exiv2::Internal::resolveLens0x319

Published Aug 9, 2021
·
Updated

Exiv2 is a command-line utility and C++ library for reading, writing, deleting, and modifying the metadata of image files. A null pointer dereference was found in Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier. The null pointer dereference is triggered when Exiv2 is used to print the metadata of a crafted image file. An attacker could potentially exploit the vulnerability to cause a denial of service, if they can trick the victim into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file. Note that this bug is only triggered when printing the interpreted (translated) data, which is a less frequently used Exiv2 operation that requires an extra command line option (-p t or -P t). The bug is fixed in version v0.27.5.

Affected Software

3 affected components
exiv2 exiv2<=0.27.4
fedoraproject fedora=33
fedoraproject fedora=34

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Exiv2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in v0.27.5
  2. Configuration

    Avoid invoking Exiv2 with the interpreted/translated printing options `-p t` or `-P t` on untrusted image files until upgraded to v0.27.5; the null pointer dereference is triggered when printing interpreted (translated) data.

    Exiv2 command-line utility lens data printing option = do not use -p t or -P t

Event History

Aug 9, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2021-37615?

The severity of CVE-2021-37615 is classified as medium due to the potential for null pointer dereference in Exiv2.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-37615?

To fix CVE-2021-37615, upgrade Exiv2 to version 0.27.5 or later to resolve the null pointer dereference issue.

3

Which versions of Exiv2 are affected by CVE-2021-37615?

CVE-2021-37615 affects Exiv2 versions up to and including 0.27.4.

4

What impact does CVE-2021-37615 have on system security?

CVE-2021-37615 can lead to application crashes or unexpected behavior when dealing with image metadata.

5

Is there a workaround for CVE-2021-37615?

A temporary workaround for CVE-2021-37615 is to avoid using the vulnerable functionalities in Exiv2 until an upgrade is performed.

Contact

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