CVE-2013-7490 in DBI Module
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
An issue was discovered in the DBI module before 1.632 for Perl. Using many arguments to methods for Callbacks may lead to memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7490 resides within the DBI module for Perl, a widely used database interface that facilitates communication between perl applications and various database systems. This issue affects versions prior to 1.632 and represents a critical memory corruption flaw that can be exploited through improper handling of callback methods. The DBI module serves as a foundational component in perl database applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems relying on database connectivity. The vulnerability specifically manifests when developers pass numerous arguments to callback methods, creating conditions where memory boundaries are exceeded or improperly managed.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the callback handling mechanisms of the DBI module. When methods receive excessive arguments during callback execution, the module fails to properly allocate or manage memory buffers, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Buffer Overflow, specifically involving stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can occur when the number of arguments exceeds predetermined limits. The flaw exploits the way perl's callback system processes method parameters, where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted argument lists to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous perl-based database applications, including web applications, enterprise systems, and database management tools that utilize the DBI interface. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code, cause application crashes, or in severe cases, gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where perl applications process untrusted data through database callbacks, as it provides a pathway for remote code execution. Systems running vulnerable versions of the DBI module are at risk of being compromised when legitimate applications process database results that trigger callback methods with excessive arguments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7490 primarily focus on immediate version upgrading to DBI 1.632 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory corruption issue. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable DBI versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for database callbacks, monitoring application logs for anomalous argument patterns, and establishing robust application sandboxing. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through malformed callback arguments. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other perl modules or database interfaces.