Vulnerability identifier: #VU12202

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.3 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2017-16879

CWE-ID: CWE-121

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
ncurses
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor: Free Software Foundation

Description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause DoS condition or execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The weakness exists in the _nc_write_entry function in tinfo/write_entry.c due to stac-based buffer overflow. A remote attacker can submit a specially crafted terminfo file, as demonstrated by tic, trick the victim into opening it, trigger memory corruption and cause the service to crash or execute arbitrary code.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in system compromise.

Mitigation
Update to version 6.1.

Vulnerable software versions

ncurses: 6.0

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External links
http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/NEWS.html#t20171125

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.