CVE-2019-1010060
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2019-1010060 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in NASA CFITSIO library versions prior to 3.43 that allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects multiple components including the ftp_status function in drvrnet.c which mishandles long strings. Any application or system using vulnerable CFITSIO versions is at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- NASA CFITSIO
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote attacker gains full system control and executes arbitrary code with the privileges of the CFITSIO process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to data theft, system manipulation, or installation of malware/backdoors on vulnerable systems.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and least privilege, impact limited to the CFITSIO process scope and isolated systems.
🎯 Exploit Status
Buffer overflow in ftp_status function triggered by long strings beginning with '4' character. Remote unauthenticated exploitation is possible.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.43
Vendor Advisory: https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/docs/changes2.txt
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download CFITSIO 3.43 from NASA HEASARC FTP. 2. Compile and install following official documentation. 3. Restart any services using CFITSIO. 4. Recompile applications linked against CFITSIO.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Restriction
linuxRestrict network access to CFITSIO services to trusted sources only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [CFITSIO_PORT] -s [TRUSTED_IP] -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [CFITSIO_PORT] -j DROP
Input Validation
allImplement strict input validation for FITS file processing
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate vulnerable systems in restricted network segments
- Implement strict file upload validation and sandboxing for FITS processing
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CFITSIO version: strings /path/to/libcfitsio.so | grep 'CFITSIO Version' or check package managerCheck Version:
strings /usr/lib/libcfitsio.so | grep 'CFITSIO Version' || dpkg -l | grep cfitsio || rpm -qa | grep cfitsioVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 3.43 or higher: cfitsio --version or check installed package version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process crashes of CFITSIO applications
- Large FITS file processing errors
- Network connections to CFITSIO services from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to CFITSIO ports
- Large FITS file transfers followed by unexpected outbound connections
SIEM Query:
process_name:"cfitsio" AND (event_type:crash OR error_message:"buffer overflow")🔗 References
- https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=892458
- https://github.com/astropy/astropy/pull/7274
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/cfitsio3420.tar.gz
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/cfitsio3430.tar.gz
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/docs/changes2.txt
- https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=892458
- https://github.com/astropy/astropy/pull/7274
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/cfitsio3420.tar.gz
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/cfitsio3430.tar.gz
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/FTP/software/fitsio/c/docs/changes2.txt
