CVE-2014-1235 in Graphviz
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the "yyerror" function in Graphviz 2.34.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted file. NOTE: This vulnerability exists due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-0978.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1235 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Graphviz software suite version 2.34.0. This issue specifically affects the yyerror function, which serves as an error handling mechanism within the parser component of Graphviz. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and memory management practices during the processing of malformed input files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's parsing functionality. Graphviz, a widely used open-source graph visualization software, processes various file formats including dot files and other graph description languages, making it a common target for attackers seeking to leverage parsing vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests when the software encounters specially crafted input files that trigger the yyerror function with insufficient buffer size allocation, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for code execution or system disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through the delivery of a malicious file to a system running Graphviz 2.34.0, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might process untrusted graph files from external sources. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat stems from the ability of attackers to manipulate memory layout through controlled input data, potentially allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Graphviz application process. This represents a significant security risk as the software is commonly used in development environments, documentation systems, and network visualization tools where attackers could leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems processing graph data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1235 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability provides a pathway for complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Organizations utilizing Graphviz for network diagramming, software architecture visualization, or documentation generation face substantial risk when running vulnerable versions, particularly in environments where users might process files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2014-0978 demonstrates a pattern of incomplete remediation where previous fixes were not fully effective, indicating potential weaknesses in the software development lifecycle or security testing processes. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious graph files that, when opened by Graphviz, trigger the buffer overflow condition and allow for arbitrary code execution. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Graphviz might be used to process network topology data, system architecture diagrams, or other sensitive visualizations that could be targeted by adversaries seeking to gain access to critical infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1235 require immediate software updates to versions that properly address the buffer overflow condition in the yyerror function, as well as implementation of network-level controls to prevent processing of untrusted graph files. System administrators should ensure that all Graphviz installations are updated to patched versions that include proper bounds checking and memory management for the parser component. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting application-level vulnerabilities that allow for arbitrary code execution. Organizations should implement principle of least privilege controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that Graphviz processes run with minimal required permissions. Additional defensive measures include deployment of file validation mechanisms, sandboxing of graph file processing, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other graph visualization tools. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation and the need for robust error handling mechanisms in parsing libraries, as the incomplete fix for CVE-2014-0978 demonstrates the complexity of addressing memory corruption vulnerabilities in software systems.