CVE-2013-4332 in C Library
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in malloc/malloc.c in the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) 2.18 and earlier allow context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (heap corruption) via a large value to the (1) pvalloc, (2) valloc, (3) posix_memalign, (4) memalign, or (5) aligned_alloc functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4332 represents a critical heap corruption issue affecting the GNU C Library version 2.18 and earlier. This flaw manifests within the memory allocation functions of glibc, specifically targeting five key functions including pvalloc, valloc, posix_memalign, memalign, and aligned_alloc. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of large input values that exceed the integer limits of the underlying memory management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by providing excessively large parameters to these memory allocation functions, potentially leading to heap corruption and subsequent system instability. The integer overflow occurs during the calculation of memory block sizes, where the arithmetic operations fail to properly validate input values against the maximum representable integer values, creating a scenario where the system attempts to allocate memory blocks of invalid sizes that can cause memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of integer overflow conditions within the memory allocator's internal calculations. When these functions receive large input values, the mathematical operations used to determine the actual memory allocation size can overflow, resulting in negative or excessively large values that the heap manager cannot properly handle. This creates a situation where the allocator attempts to manage memory blocks that either exceed system limits or become invalid due to the overflow, leading to memory corruption patterns that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core memory allocation functions that are extensively used throughout the operating system and applications, making it a prime target for exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can lead to significant system instability and service disruption across affected systems. When exploited, the integer overflows cause heap corruption that typically results in application crashes or system hangs, effectively creating a denial of service condition. The impact extends beyond individual applications to potentially affect the entire system stability since these memory allocation functions are fundamental to system operation. The vulnerability is context-dependent, meaning that exploitation requires specific conditions where attackers can control the input parameters to the affected functions, but once triggered, the consequences can be severe and persistent across system operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4332 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of glibc where the integer overflow conditions have been properly addressed through input validation and proper overflow checking. System administrators should prioritize updating their glibc installations to versions 2.19 or later, where the vulnerability has been resolved through enhanced parameter validation and robust integer overflow protection mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization at application level can provide an additional layer of defense, though this approach is less reliable than system-level patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting systems to detect anomalous memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where untrusted input flows to memory allocation functions.