CVE-2014-2885 in TrueCrypt
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in TrueCrypt 7.1a allow local users to (1) obtain sensitive information via vectors involving a crafted item->OriginalLength value in the MainThreadProc function in EncryptedIoQueue.c or (2) cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via vectors involving large StartingOffset and Length values in the ProcessVolumeDeviceControlIrp function in Ntdriver.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2885 represents a critical security flaw in TrueCrypt 7.1a, a widely used open-source disk encryption software that was popular for its strong encryption capabilities and cross-platform compatibility. This vulnerability manifests as multiple integer overflows that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system integrity and availability. The flaw exists within the core encryption driver components of TrueCrypt, specifically affecting how the software handles cryptographic operations and memory management during volume processing. These integer overflows create exploitable conditions that can lead to information disclosure and system instability, fundamentally undermining the security assurances that users expect from disk encryption solutions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit different aspects of the software's memory handling mechanisms. The first vector targets the MainThreadProc function in EncryptedIoQueue.c where a crafted item->OriginalLength value can trigger an integer overflow, allowing attackers to read sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to information disclosure and privilege escalation. The second vector operates through the ProcessVolumeDeviceControlIrp function in Ntdriver.c, where excessively large StartingOffset and Length values cause integer overflows that result in uncontrolled memory consumption, leading to denial of service conditions. This aspect of the vulnerability corresponds to CWE-191, which addresses integer underflow and overflow conditions that can cause memory corruption and system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2885 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Local attackers who can manipulate the affected parameters gain the ability to extract confidential information from the encryption driver's memory space, potentially accessing cryptographic keys, plaintext data, or other sensitive system components. The denial of service component creates a persistent availability threat that can render the encryption software unusable, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing their encrypted volumes. This vulnerability affects systems where TrueCrypt is installed and running, particularly those that process encrypted volumes through the affected driver components. The attack requires local access to the system, but once exploited, the impact can be severe for organizations relying on TrueCrypt for data protection. The vulnerability's persistence across different operating systems and architectures makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where disk encryption is widely deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2885 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates, as the vulnerability exists in a deprecated version of TrueCrypt that is no longer receiving security updates. Organizations should transition to supported encryption solutions such as BitLocker, LUKS, or other modern disk encryption tools that have been actively maintained and patched against similar vulnerabilities. The patching approach should include comprehensive system monitoring to detect any exploitation attempts and ensure that all instances of the vulnerable TrueCrypt version have been removed from the environment. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit local user access to encryption software components. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and integer overflow protection in security-critical software components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and the importance of maintaining current security practices, as outdated software versions continue to pose significant risks even when deployed in secure environments.