CVE-2012-1163 in libzip
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the _zip_readcdir function in zip_open.c in libzip 0.10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the size and offset values for the central directory in a zip archive, which triggers "improper restrictions of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer" and an information leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1163 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libzip library version 0.10, specifically within the _zip_readcdir function located in zip_open.c. This vulnerability manifests when processing zip archive files and occurs during the parsing of central directory entries where size and offset values are improperly validated. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and boundary checking mechanisms that fail to properly validate the numerical parameters associated with archive metadata structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in how integer values are processed when calculating memory allocation requirements for central directory structures within zip archives. When remote attackers craft malicious zip files containing oversized size and offset values, the integer overflow condition causes the system to allocate insufficient memory buffers or perform invalid memory operations. This improper restriction of operations within memory buffer boundaries creates a condition where adjacent memory regions can be overwritten or accessed unexpectedly, leading to potential code execution opportunities.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1163 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution through carefully constructed zip archive files. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code that executes within the context of applications using the vulnerable libzip library, potentially compromising systems that process untrusted zip files. The information leak component further amplifies the threat by exposing sensitive memory contents that could aid in additional exploitation attempts or bypass security controls. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including web servers, file processing utilities, and any software that relies on libzip for zip archive handling.
Systems utilizing libzip 0.10 or earlier versions remain susceptible to this vulnerability, particularly those that process untrusted zip archives without proper validation. The attack surface includes web applications that accept zip file uploads, email servers processing zip attachments, and file sharing platforms that decompress user-uploaded archives. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through library vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing proper input validation measures to prevent exploitation of this integer overflow condition that can lead to complete system compromise.