CVE-2016-9427 in bdwgc
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow vulnerability in bdwgc before 2016-09-27 allows attackers to cause client of bdwgc denial of service (heap buffer overflow crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via huge allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The bdwgc library represents a widely-used garbage collection system for C and C++ applications, providing automatic memory management capabilities that are essential for preventing memory leaks and managing heap allocations in complex software systems. This particular vulnerability affects versions of the library prior to the September 27, 2016 release, making it a critical security concern for any software that relies on this memory management component. The integer overflow flaw exists within the memory allocation handling mechanisms of the garbage collector, specifically when processing large memory requests that exceed normal allocation boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition during memory allocation operations where the library fails to properly validate or handle extremely large allocation requests. When an attacker provides a carefully crafted allocation request that exceeds the maximum representable integer value, the overflow causes the system to miscalculate the required memory space, leading to heap buffer overflows. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and integer arithmetic, where the garbage collector's allocation routines do not adequately check for overflow conditions before proceeding with memory allocation operations. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enabling remote code execution attacks. When the heap buffer overflow occurs, it can corrupt adjacent memory regions and potentially overwrite critical program structures or function pointers, allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in applications that process untrusted input or operate in multi-user environments where arbitrary code execution could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any application using bdwgc versions prior to the patched release, including web servers, database applications, and other software that relies on this memory management library.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected bdwgc installations to version 2016-09-27 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for integer overflow validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability scanning procedures to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable bdwgc versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally, developers should consider implementing input validation and allocation size checking in their applications to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and code execution techniques, specifically targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited through buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious allocation patterns and implement memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce the exploitability of such vulnerabilities in the event of successful exploitation attempts.