GNU Wget Buffer Overflow Vulnerability [CVE-2019-5953]

CVE Number – CVE-2019-5953

A vulnerability in GNU Wget could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on a targeted system.

The vulnerability exists because the affected software performs improper bounds checks, which could result in a buffer overflow condition in the irc.c source code file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to retrieve a file that submits malicious input using the wgetcommand. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.The vendor has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

Analysis

• To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker may use misleading language or instructions to persuade a user to retrieve a file that submits malicious input to the targeted system using the wget command.

Safeguards

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
  
  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.
  
  Administrators are advised to use an unprivileged account when browsing the Internet.
  
  Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.
  
  Users are advised not to open email messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in email messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.
  
  Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.

Vendor Announcements

• The vendor has published release notes at the following links: wget-1.20.2 released and wget-1.20.3 released

Fixed Software

• The vendor has released software updates and git commits at the following links: wget 1.20.2 and 1.20.3, Fix a buffer overflow vulnerability, and*src/iri.c (do_conversion): Remove unneeded debug lines