CVE-2016-10349 in libarchive
Summary
by MITRE
The archive_le32dec function in archive_endian.h in libarchive 3.2.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted file.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10349 resides within the libarchive library version 3.2.2, specifically in the archive_endian.h header file's archive_le32dec function. This flaw represents a classic heap-based buffer over-read condition that can be exploited remotely by attackers who craft malicious archive files. The libarchive library serves as a comprehensive archive handling library that supports numerous formats including tar, zip, and various compression algorithms, making it a widely deployed component in both open source and commercial software ecosystems. When processing specially crafted archive files, the archive_le32dec function fails to properly validate input boundaries, leading to memory access violations that can result in application crashes and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the endian conversion function designed to handle little-endian 32-bit integer decoding. During archive processing, when the function encounters malformed input data, it attempts to read beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, triggering undefined behavior that manifests as heap corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw occurs during the normal operation of archive extraction processes where the library attempts to decode metadata or content headers that have been deliberately crafted to exceed expected buffer limits. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through standard archive processing operations without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10349 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise system availability and stability across numerous applications that depend on libarchive. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating malicious archive files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will cause heap corruption and subsequent application crashes. This affects a broad range of software including web servers, file management utilities, backup systems, and content delivery platforms that utilize libarchive for archive handling operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that systems processing untrusted archive data from network sources, such as email attachments, file downloads, or automated processing pipelines, become vulnerable to this attack vector. In enterprise environments, this could lead to service disruption, data loss, or potential escalation to more severe attacks if the compromised applications handle sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10349 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of the libarchive library where the buffer over-read condition has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected applications that utilize libarchive, particularly those handling untrusted archive data from external sources. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation at application layers, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual application crash patterns or memory access violations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for denial of service, and represents a typical example of how seemingly minor implementation flaws in core library functions can create widespread security implications across dependent applications. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for archive processing operations and regularly audit their software dependencies to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other third-party libraries.