CVE-2014-9474 in MPFR
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the mpfr_strtofr function in GNU MPFR before 3.1.2-p11 allows context-dependent attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors related to incorrect documentation for mpn_set_str.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9474 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GNU MPFR library version 3.1.2-p10 and earlier releases. This issue specifically affects the mpfr_strtofr function which is responsible for converting string representations of floating-point numbers into MPFR floating-point objects. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of input data during the conversion process, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled input can cause memory corruption. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows context-dependent attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions, with the exact impact remaining unspecified due to the nature of buffer overflow exploitation. This vulnerability directly impacts systems that rely on precise floating-point arithmetic operations, particularly those using the GNU MPFR library for mathematical computations.
The technical root cause of this buffer overflow lies in the incorrect documentation and implementation of the mpn_set_str function which is part of the underlying MPF library. When the mpfr_strtofr function processes input strings, it fails to properly validate the length of the input data against the allocated buffer space, leading to a classic buffer overflow condition. The flaw manifests when the library attempts to parse floating-point numbers from string format, particularly when dealing with malformed or specially crafted input sequences. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten. The improper documentation for mpn_set_str function creates a mismatch between expected behavior and actual implementation, enabling attackers to craft inputs that exceed buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9474 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable environments. Systems utilizing GNU MPFR for scientific computing, financial calculations, cryptographic operations, or any application requiring high-precision floating-point arithmetic become susceptible to exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through context-dependent vectors such as processing untrusted input data, parsing configuration files, or handling user-supplied numerical values in applications that depend on MPFR functionality. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the wide range of potential consequences including system crashes, data corruption, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and attack vectors employed. This vulnerability particularly affects applications in the ATT&CK framework's Software Deployment category, where malicious input can be introduced through various delivery mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9474 require immediate patching of affected GNU MPFR installations to version 3.1.2-p11 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures to sanitize all data processed through MPFR functions, particularly when handling external or untrusted input sources. System administrators should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections to reduce the exploitability of any remaining vulnerabilities. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify other potentially affected libraries or applications that may use vulnerable versions of MPFR. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious input patterns and implementing proper error handling mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in version 3.1.2-p11 addresses the core issue by correcting the buffer size calculations and improving the validation of input parameters to prevent the overflow condition from occurring during string-to-floating-point conversion operations.