libxslt CVE-2019-18197 Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

libxslt is prone to an arbitrary code-execution vulnerability. Successfully exploiting this issue may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the affected application. Failed exploits will result in denial-of-service conditions. libxslt version 1.1.33 is vulnerable.

Technologies Affected

• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 12.04 ESM
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 14.04 ESM
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 18.04 LTS
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 19.04
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 19.10
• XMLSoft libxslt 1.1.33

Recommendations

Block external access at the network boundary, unless external parties require service.
If global access isn’t needed, filter access to the affected computer at the network boundary. Restricting access to only trusted computers and networks might greatly reduce the likelihood of successful exploits.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to detect and block attacks and anomalous activity such as requests containing suspicious URI sequences. Since the webserver may log such requests, review logs regularly.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Various memory-protection schemes (such as nonexecutable and randomly mapped memory segments) may hinder an attacker’s ability to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities.

Currently, we are not aware of any vendor-supplied patches. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: [email protected].