CVE-2014-4501 in sgminer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in sgminer before 4.2.2, cgminer before 4.3.5, and BFGMiner before 3.3.0 allow remote pool servers to have unspecified impact via a long URL in a client.reconnect stratum message to the (1) extract_sockaddr or (2) parse_reconnect functions in util.c.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2014-4501 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting cryptocurrency mining software implementations including sgminer, cgminer, and BFGMiner. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of stratum messages from remote mining pool servers, where malicious actors can exploit the improper validation of URL lengths in the client.reconnect message. The flaw exists in the extract_sockaddr and parse_reconnect functions located within the util.c source file, making it particularly dangerous as these functions are fundamental to network communication handling in mining applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the mining software's network processing pipeline. When a remote pool server sends a client.reconnect stratum message containing an excessively long URL, the mining software fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level where mining pools are inherently trusted entities, making the attack surface more accessible than typical local buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4501 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable remote code execution capabilities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain control over mining operations, redirect computational resources to malicious purposes, or even use compromised mining rigs as part of botnet infrastructure. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the potential for various malicious outcomes including denial of service, data corruption, or complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects the core mining functionality of cryptocurrency mining software, making it particularly dangerous for users who rely on these tools for legitimate mining operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation might enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2014-4501 involve immediate software updates to versions 4.2.2 for sgminer, 4.3.5 for cgminer, and 3.3.0 for BFGMiner, which contain proper input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual stratum message patterns and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed reconnect messages. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation at the network boundary, using network segmentation to isolate mining operations, and conducting regular security assessments of mining infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in network-facing applications and serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations in cryptocurrency mining software development.