CVE-2012-0815 in RPM Package Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The headerVerifyInfo function in lib/header.c in RPM before 4.9.1.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a negative value in a region offset of a package header, which is not properly handled in a numeric range comparison.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0815 represents a critical security flaw within the RPM package management system that affects versions prior to 4.9.1.3. This issue resides in the headerVerifyInfo function located in lib/header.c, which is responsible for validating package headers during installation processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of numeric values within the package header structure, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted package files.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability involves a failure in numeric range comparison logic that occurs when processing region offset values within package headers. Specifically, when a negative value is present in a region offset field, the system fails to properly validate this input before proceeding with subsequent operations. This numeric overflow or underflow condition creates a scenario where the comparison logic becomes unreliable, potentially leading to memory corruption or unexpected behavior in the application. The flaw aligns with CWE-191, which describes integer underflow or wraparound conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in systems handling binary data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for systems that process untrusted package data. Attackers can craft malicious RPM packages that contain negative offset values in their headers, causing the RPM library to crash during verification or installation processes. When properly exploited, these conditions can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on RPM for package management, including various linux distributions and enterprise environments that utilize RPM-based package repositories.
Systems utilizing RPM versions before 4.9.1.3 are at significant risk when processing packages from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where automatic package updates or repository synchronization occurs. The vulnerability can be exploited through package repositories, automated deployment systems, or even through direct package installation from potentially compromised sources. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where package management systems handle thousands of packages from multiple sources, as a single malicious package could compromise multiple systems.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to RPM version 4.9.1.3 or later, which includes proper validation of region offset values and corrected numeric range comparisons. Organizations should also implement package integrity verification measures, including checksum validation and digital signatures, to detect potentially malicious packages before installation. Additional protective measures include restricting package repository access to trusted sources, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual package installation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across all affected systems.