CVE-2014-3469 in Libtasn1
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) asn1_read_value_type and (2) asn1_read_value functions in GNU Libtasn1 before 3.6 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) via a NULL value in an ivalue argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3469 affects GNU Libtasn1 versions prior to 3.6, representing a critical denial of service weakness that stems from improper input validation within core ASN.1 parsing functions. This flaw exists in the asn1_read_value_type and asn1_read_value functions, which are fundamental components responsible for processing ASN.1 encoded data structures. The vulnerability manifests when these functions receive a NULL value in the ivalue argument, leading to a NULL pointer dereference that ultimately results in application crashes and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic null pointer dereference pattern that falls under CWE-476, specifically targeting the absence of proper null checks in function parameters. When attackers provide malformed ASN.1 data containing NULL values in the ivalue argument, the functions fail to validate input parameters before attempting to access memory locations pointed to by these null references. This behavior creates an exploitable condition where the application process terminates unexpectedly, rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users and potentially enabling further attacks through service disruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that rely on GNU Libtasn1 for processing ASN.1 encoded data, which includes various cryptographic applications, network protocols, and security infrastructure components. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt critical services, particularly in environments where ASN.1 parsing is integral to authentication mechanisms, certificate processing, or secure communication protocols. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that exploitation requires specific conditions where the targeted application processes ASN.1 data through the vulnerable functions, but the potential for widespread impact remains high given the prevalence of ASN.1 parsing in security-critical applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which focuses on network denial of service attacks through service interruption. Organizations using affected versions of GNU Libtasn1 should prioritize immediate patching to version 3.6 or later, as this release includes proper input validation that prevents NULL pointer dereference conditions. Additional mitigations may include implementing input sanitization layers, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual application crash patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust parameter validation in cryptographic libraries, where input handling failures can have cascading effects on system security and availability, particularly in environments where ASN.1 parsing is a core component of security infrastructure.