CVE-2017-10929 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The grub_memmove function in shlr/grub/kern/misc.c in radare2 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted binary file, possibly related to a read overflow in the grub_disk_read_small_real function in kern/disk.c in GNU GRUB 2.02.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10929 resides within the radare2 binary analysis framework version 1.5.0, specifically in the grub_memmove function located in shlr/grub/kern/misc.c. This flaw represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow that can be exploited by remote attackers through the manipulation of crafted binary files. The vulnerability originates from a chain of functions that begin with the grub_disk_read_small_real function in kern/disk.c within GNU GRUB 2.02, demonstrating how issues in lower-level boot components can propagate into higher-level analysis tools. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed binary data that triggers an improper memory management operation, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent heap memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and can be classified as a memory safety error that directly impacts the integrity of the application's memory management subsystem.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious binary file that, when processed by radare2, triggers the vulnerable code path through the grub_memmove function. The heap-based buffer overflow occurs because the function fails to properly validate the size of memory blocks being moved, allowing for writes beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This condition creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution or complete application crash, depending on the specific memory corruption patterns that result from the overflow. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service since the heap corruption can potentially be leveraged to achieve more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or code injection. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that radare2 is widely used in security research and penetration testing environments where analysis of potentially malicious files is routine.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10929 is significant for organizations relying on radare2 for binary analysis, reverse engineering, or security research activities. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause complete application crashes, forcing analysts to restart their tools and potentially lose debugging sessions or analysis progress. In more severe scenarios, the heap corruption could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running affected versions of radare2, particularly in environments where analysts process untrusted binary samples. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through network-based delivery mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in automated analysis systems or when processing files from untrusted sources. This flaw directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute malicious code through compromised analysis environments. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for indicator removal on host, as the heap corruption could potentially be used to hide malicious activity or evade detection mechanisms within the analysis environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10929 should prioritize immediate patching of affected radare2 installations to version 2.0.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper input validation and memory management improvements. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures before processing binary samples in radare2, particularly when dealing with untrusted files from external sources. Network-based security controls should be configured to scan for and block potentially malicious binary files before they reach analysis systems. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap integrity checks to reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security tooling and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all components within the software supply chain, particularly those that handle untrusted input data. Regular security assessments should include testing for memory safety vulnerabilities in analysis tools, as these components often become targets for sophisticated attacks due to their privileged execution contexts and access to sensitive data.