CVE-2014-5044 in libgfortran
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in libgfortran might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (Fortran application crash) via vectors related to array allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5044 represents a critical security flaw within the libgfortran library, which serves as the GNU Fortran runtime library for handling Fortran programming language applications. This library forms a fundamental component of many scientific computing environments and numerical processing applications that rely on Fortran for mathematical computations. The integer overflow conditions occur during array allocation operations, which are core functions in Fortran programming for managing memory resources and data structures. These vulnerabilities specifically affect the way the library handles memory allocation calculations when processing array dimensions and sizes provided by external inputs or user data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the array allocation routines of libgfortran. When Fortran applications process array declarations or dynamic array allocations, the library performs calculations to determine the required memory size for these arrays. Integer overflow occurs when these calculations exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the integer data type used in the computation, leading to unexpected behavior where the calculated memory requirements become negative or excessively large values. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate array allocation operations that appear normal to the application but contain maliciously crafted dimension values that cause the arithmetic overflow during internal calculations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5044 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can exploit these integer overflows by crafting specific array allocation parameters that, when processed by vulnerable libgfortran implementations, result in memory corruption. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution if the overflowed values are used as array indices or memory offsets in subsequent operations, or alternatively cause application crashes and system instability through memory allocation failures. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that depend on libgfortran, including scientific computing software, engineering simulation tools, and numerical analysis packages that are widely deployed in enterprise and research environments.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as mapping to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006, which covers Fortran-based command and control operations, though the primary threat vector involves legitimate application usage rather than direct malicious command injection. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of libgfortran, applying security patches to affected systems, and monitoring for suspicious array allocation patterns in application logs. System administrators should also consider implementing application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper integer overflow prevention in runtime libraries and underscores the critical need for comprehensive input validation in mathematical computing environments that process user-supplied data through array operations.