CVE-2012-0061 in RPM Package Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The headerLoad function in lib/header.c in RPM before 4.9.1.3 does not properly validate region tags, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large region size in a package header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0061 resides within the RPM package management system's header parsing functionality, specifically in the headerLoad function located in lib/header.c. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that occurs when the system fails to properly validate region tags during package header processing. The issue affects RPM versions prior to 4.9.1.3, making it a significant concern for systems relying on older package management infrastructure. The vulnerability operates by accepting malformed package headers containing oversized region size values that bypass normal validation checks, creating a scenario where the application's memory management becomes compromised. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation details suggest it may also involve heap-based memory corruption due to the nature of header parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted package files might be processed. When a maliciously crafted package header is processed by the vulnerable RPM system, the improper validation of region tags causes the application to allocate memory based on the inflated region size values. This memory allocation failure can lead to stack corruption, heap corruption, or other memory management issues that may be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the RPM process. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that the vulnerability requires some form of interaction from the victim, such as installing a malicious package, but does not require the user to perform any specially dangerous actions beyond normal package installation procedures.
Systems utilizing RPM package management, particularly those running versions prior to 4.9.1.3, are at risk of exploitation through this vulnerability. The attack vector typically involves an attacker creating a malicious RPM package with malformed header information that contains oversized region size values. When the target system attempts to process this package, either during installation or routine package management operations, the headerLoad function fails to validate the region tags properly, leading to the memory corruption that can result in system crashes or code execution. The vulnerability affects various Linux distributions that rely on RPM for package management, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux, and other distributions using the RPM package system. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of arbitrary code through memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2012-0061 involves upgrading to RPM version 4.9.1.3 or later, which includes proper validation of region tags in the headerLoad function. System administrators should also implement package signature verification to ensure that only trusted packages are installed on the system, thereby reducing the risk of exploitation through malicious package files. Additional protective measures include monitoring package installation activities and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-sensitive applications, particularly in systems that process external data such as package headers. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive vulnerability management programs to address similar issues across their infrastructure.