CVE-2016-10350 in libarchive
Summary
by MITRE
The archive_read_format_cab_read_header function in archive_read_support_format_cab.c 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10350 resides within the libarchive library version 3.2.2, specifically in the archive_read_format_cab_read_header function located in the archive_read_support_format_cab.c file. This flaw represents a heap-based buffer over-read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to induce a denial of service scenario resulting in application crashes. The issue manifests when the library processes specially crafted archive files, particularly those formatted as CAB (Microsoft Cabinet) archives, which are commonly used for software distribution and file compression in windows environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the CAB format parser. When the archive_read_format_cab_read_header function processes a malformed CAB file, it fails to properly validate the size parameters of data structures within the archive header. This allows an attacker to craft a file where the expected data size exceeds the actual allocated buffer space, leading to memory access violations. The heap-based nature of the over-read indicates that the library allocates memory on the heap for processing archive contents, but the parsing logic does not adequately verify that read operations remain within the allocated boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios targeting systems that utilize libarchive for processing untrusted archive files. Any application or service that relies on libarchive for decompressing CAB archives, including web applications, file processing systems, and content management platforms, becomes potentially vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated file processing occurs, such as email servers, file upload systems, or content delivery networks, as these systems may automatically attempt to process user-submitted archive files without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading maliciously crafted CAB files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the buffer over-read condition and cause the target application to crash or become unresponsive.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10350 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libarchive installations to version 3.2.3 or later, where the buffer over-read issue has been resolved through proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as input sanitization, file type validation, and restricted processing of untrusted archive files. Network-level protections can include implementing file type filtering and content scanning systems that identify and quarantine potentially malicious archive files before they reach systems running vulnerable libarchive versions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 Reconnaissance and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service techniques, highlighting the importance of both proactive vulnerability management and reactive monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and sandboxing mechanisms for archive processing to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.