CVE-2013-4385 in CHICKEN
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the "read-string!" procedure in the "extras" unit in CHICKEN stable before 4.8.0.5 and development snapshots before 4.8.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a "#f" value in the NUM argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4385 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the CHICKEN Scheme implementation's extras unit library. This issue affects versions prior to 4.8.0.5 in stable releases and before 4.8.3 in development snapshots, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this Scheme interpreter. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the "read-string!" procedure which handles string input operations within the CHICKEN environment.
The technical flaw occurs when the "read-string!" procedure processes a "#f" value passed as the NUM argument, which triggers improper bounds checking and memory handling. This buffer overflow condition arises from insufficient validation of input parameters, allowing maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking leads to memory corruption. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of both denial of service and potential code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in remote attack scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable remote code execution on affected systems. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause memory corruption that leads to application crashes, creating denial of service conditions. However, the more severe implications arise from the possibility of arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain control over the affected system. This vulnerability affects any system running CHICKEN versions prior to the patched releases, particularly those exposed to untrusted input sources through network services or web applications utilizing CHICKEN for scripting.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4385 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to CHICKEN 4.8.0.5 or later releases, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, input validation measures should be strengthened to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable procedure, though this represents a secondary defense since the primary fix requires version updates. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and consider implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential attack patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and system compromise, emphasizing the need for immediate remediation to prevent potential lateral movement within compromised networks.