CVE-2014-8118 in RPM Package Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in RPM 4.12 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted CPIO header in the payload section of an RPM file, which triggers a stack-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8118 represents a critical security flaw in the RPM package management system affecting versions 4.12 and earlier. This issue stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of CPIO headers within RPM file payloads, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental parsing mechanisms of RPM packages, which are widely used across enterprise Linux distributions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux, and various Fedora releases, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where package management is critical for system maintenance and security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of integer values during the extraction process of RPM packages. When an attacker crafts a malicious CPIO header with oversized or malformed integer values, the RPM utility fails to properly validate these values before using them to allocate memory buffers. This integer overflow condition results in a stack-based buffer overflow, where the corrupted memory allocation allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the RPM process. The flaw specifically manifests in the way RPM handles the size fields within CPIO headers, which are used to determine buffer allocation sizes during file extraction operations. According to CWE-190, this vulnerability maps directly to integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8118 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can be exploited remotely through package repositories or malicious package downloads. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability in various attack scenarios including supply chain attacks where compromised packages are distributed through official repositories, or by delivering malicious packages directly to target systems. The vulnerability affects any system running RPM-based package management, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where automated package updates are common. Systems that regularly download and install packages from untrusted sources are at heightened risk, as the attack can be executed without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond the normal package installation process. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through package management systems, and T1195.002 for supply chain compromise through package repositories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8118 should prioritize immediate patching of affected RPM versions to 4.13 or later, where the integer overflow handling has been corrected. Organizations should implement strict package verification procedures including digital signature validation and checksum verification before package installation. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit exposure by restricting access to package repositories and preventing unauthorized package distribution. System administrators should also consider implementing package integrity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous package behavior or unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper integer handling in security-critical applications, emphasizing that even seemingly benign package management tools can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. Organizations should also review their package management workflows to ensure that only trusted packages are installed and that automated update mechanisms are properly secured against malicious package injection.