CVE-2013-0252: Input Validation
A security flaw was found in the way UTF-8 decoder of boost, set of free peer-reviewed portable C++ source libraries, performed validation of certain UTF-8 encoded sequences. If an application, linked against boost used the UTF-8 decoding routines for input validation (and depended at the results), an attacker could use this flaw to confuse the validator into (errorneously) accepting them as valid.
Upstream bug report: [1] https://svn.boost.org/trac/boost/ticket/7743
Upstream advisory: [2] http://www.boost.org/users/news/boostlocalesecuritynotice.html
Relevant upstream patch: [3] http://cppcms.com/files/locale/boostlocaleutf.patch
References: [4] http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/02/04/1 [5] http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/02/04/2
Other sources
boost::locale::utf::utftraits in the Boost.Locale library in Boost 1.48 through 1.52 does not properly detect certain invalid UTF-8 sequences, which might allow remote attackers to bypass input validation protection mechanisms via crafted trailing bytes.
— MITRE
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2013-0252?
CVE-2013-0252 has been classified as a medium severity vulnerability due to its potential impact on applications relying on improper UTF-8 input validation.
How do I fix CVE-2013-0252?
To fix CVE-2013-0252, you should update your Boost library to version 1.53.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed.
What versions of Boost are affected by CVE-2013-0252?
CVE-2013-0252 affects Boost versions 1.48.0 through 1.52.0.
How does CVE-2013-0252 impact applications?
Applications linked against vulnerable versions of Boost may misinterpret UTF-8 encoded sequences, leading to potential security risks.
Is it safe to use Boost versions earlier than 1.53.0 after CVE-2013-0252?
It is unsafe to use Boost versions earlier than 1.53.0, as they are susceptible to the vulnerabilities outlined in CVE-2013-0252.