CVE-2013-1994 in libchromeXvMC
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in X.org libchromeXvMC and libchromeXvMCPro in openChrome 0.3.2 and earlier allow X servers to trigger allocation of insufficient memory and a buffer overflow via vectors related to the (1) uniDRIOpenConnection and (2) uniDRIGetClientDriverName functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1994 represents a critical security flaw within the X.org libchromeXvMC and libchromeXvMCPro libraries used in the openChrome 0.3.2 software release and earlier versions. This issue manifests through multiple integer overflow conditions that occur during memory allocation processes within the X server environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted input vectors. The vulnerability specifically targets two primary functions: uniDRIOpenConnection and uniDRIGetClientDriverName, which serve as critical interfaces for managing direct rendering infrastructure connections and client driver name retrieval within the graphics subsystem.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and arithmetic operations within the affected library functions where integer overflows occur during calculations that determine memory allocation sizes. When these functions process user-supplied data or connection parameters, the integer overflow conditions cause the system to allocate insufficient memory buffers, subsequently leading to buffer overflow scenarios that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in the software's memory management and input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly enhanced by the fact that it operates within the X server context, which typically runs with elevated privileges and has direct access to hardware resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the X server process, which often operates with system-level access. This creates a severe risk for desktop environments where the X server handles graphics rendering for multiple applications and user sessions. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, denial of service conditions, or data integrity violations within the graphical subsystem. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the successful exploitation allows for privilege escalation and potential command execution within the target environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where X server access is common and where attackers might leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to graphical interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1994 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the integer overflow conditions and memory allocation issues within the affected libraries. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of openChrome and related X.org components are updated to secure versions that properly validate integer inputs and implement robust memory allocation checks. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of X server components to untrusted networks. The implementation of address space layout randomization ASLR and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these are secondary protections against the primary integer overflow exploitation. Regular security assessments of graphical subsystems and monitoring for unusual X server activity should be maintained to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary X server features and implementing strict input validation for all graphics-related applications to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation of this vulnerability.