# CVE-2019-3817: Use after free in libcomps

> An attacker can trigger a use-after-free in libcomps by providing a crafted XML file, potentially leading to application crashes or arbitrary code execution.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 27 Mar 2019
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3rh7-494q-3mjq, RHSA-2019:3898, openSUSE-SU-2019:0323-1, openSUSE-SU-2019:0328-1, openSUSE-SU-2024:10929-1

## What is CVE-2019-3817?

CVE-2019-3817 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in libcomps, published on 27 Mar 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A use-after-free flaw has been discovered in libcomps before version 0.1.10 in the way ObjMRTrees are merged. An attacker, who is able to make an application read a crafted comps XML file, may be able to crash the application or execute malicious code.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-3817?

It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `libcomps` | Red Hat:rhel_extras_other:7 | All versions | 0:0.1.8-13.el7 |
| `libcomps-debuginfo` | Red Hat:rhel_extras_other:7 | All versions | 0:0.1.8-13.el7 |
| `libcomps-devel` | Red Hat:rhel_extras_other:7 | All versions | 0:0.1.8-13.el7 |
| `libcomps-doc` | Red Hat:rhel_extras_other:7 | All versions | 0:0.1.8-13.el7 |
| `python-libcomps-doc` | Red Hat:rhel_extras_other:7 | All versions | 0:0.1.8-13.el7 |
| `python2-libcomps` | Red Hat:rhel_extras_other:7 | All versions | 0:0.1.8-13.el7 |
| `libcomps` | SUSE:Package Hub 15 | All versions | 0.1.8-bp150.3.3.1 |

Products: Rpm Libcomps.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-3817?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2019-3817 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-3817 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-3817 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-3817 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in libcomps, published on 27 Mar 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-3817 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: libcomps. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-3817/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-3817/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-3817
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-3817
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-3817

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-3817/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.