CVE-2016-7151 in Capstone
Summary
by MITRE
Capstone 3.0.4 has an out-of-bounds vulnerability (SEGV caused by a read memory access) in X86_insn_reg_intel in arch/X86/X86Mapping.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7151 affects the Capstone disassembly framework version 3.0.4, specifically targeting the X86 instruction set architecture component. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read condition that results in a segmentation fault during the processing of certain x86 instruction patterns. The flaw occurs within the X86_insn_reg_intel function located in the arch/X86/X86Mapping.c source file, representing a critical memory safety issue that can potentially lead to application crashes or unauthorized code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the instruction mapping logic that processes x86 assembly instructions. When the X86_insn_reg_intel function encounters specific instruction patterns, it attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to a segmentation violation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can be exploited to cause system instability or potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer over-read scenario where the software fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on Capstone for binary analysis, malware reverse engineering, or security monitoring applications. Attackers could potentially craft malicious x86 instruction sequences that trigger this out-of-bounds read, leading to denial of service conditions or, in more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, arbitrary code execution. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes as this vulnerability could be leveraged in broader attack chains within security tools that depend on Capstone for accurate instruction analysis. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Windows Command Shell, as it could be used to bypass defensive mechanisms or establish persistent access through compromised analysis tools.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-7151 involves immediate upgrading to Capstone version 3.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read condition. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as input validation and bounds checking in their custom applications that interface with Capstone. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any unauthorized modifications to Capstone libraries and ensure that all security tools relying on this framework are updated to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security libraries and the potential consequences of memory safety issues in widely-used disassembly frameworks that form the foundation of many cybersecurity tools and research applications.