graphviz agroot() Function NULL Pointer Dereference Vulnerability [CVE-2019-11023]

CVE Number – CVE-2019-11023

A vulnerability in the agroot() function of graphviz could allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on a targeted system. The vulnerability is due to a NULL pointer dereference condition in the agroot() function, as defined in the cgraph\obj.c source code file of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting malicious GraphML input to the targeted system. A successful exploit could trigger a NULL pointer dereference condition, resulting in a DoS condition on the targeted system.Proof-of-concept (PoC) code that demonstrates an exploit of this vulnerability is publicly available. graphviz has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

Analysis

• To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have user-level access to the targeted system. This access requirement could reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.

Safeguards

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to access local systems.Administrators are advised to allow only privileged users to access administration or management systems.Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.

Vendor Announcements

• graphviz has released a bug report at the following link: Null pointer dereference in function agroot()

Fixed Software

• graphviz has released a software patch at the following link: attempted fix for null pointer deference on malformed input