CVE-2009-0757 in GNU MPFR
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in GNU MPFR 2.4.0 allow context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via the (1) mpfr_snprintf and (2) mpfr_vsnprintf functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0757 represents a critical security flaw within the GNU MPFR library version 2.4.0, specifically targeting two fundamental string formatting functions that are widely utilized in mathematical computations and scientific applications. This vulnerability manifests as multiple buffer overflows that can be exploited by context-dependent attackers to trigger denial of service conditions, effectively crashing applications that rely on these mathematical libraries. The affected functions mpfr_snprintf and mpfr_vsnprintf are responsible for formatted string output operations, making them prime targets for exploitation due to their widespread use in computational software ecosystems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the buffer management mechanisms of the MPFR library's string formatting routines. When these functions process input data that exceeds predetermined buffer limits, they fail to properly validate the size requirements before writing data to memory locations, resulting in memory corruption that can lead to application crashes or unpredictable behavior. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that exploitation requires specific conditions or inputs that can be crafted to exceed buffer boundaries, making it particularly challenging to detect through automated scanning tools alone.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that depend on mathematical precision and computational stability, particularly in scientific computing environments, financial modeling applications, and any software that requires high-precision floating-point arithmetic. The denial of service condition can result in complete application termination, requiring system administrators to restart services and potentially leading to extended downtime in mission-critical environments. The vulnerability's exploitation can be particularly problematic in server environments where multiple concurrent processes might be utilizing the same mathematical library components, potentially leading to cascading failures across interconnected systems. Organizations using affected software may experience unexpected service interruptions that can impact business operations and require immediate remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the MPFR library to version 2.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement input validation measures at application layers that utilize MPFR functions, ensuring that all data passed to mpfr_snprintf and mpfr_vsnprintf operations is properly bounded and sanitized before processing. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems capable of monitoring for anomalous string formatting patterns and implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can help reduce the exploitability of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in preventing such exploitation scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their software dependencies.