CVE-2017-11111 in Netwide Assembler
Summary
by MITRE
In Netwide Assembler (NASM) 2.14rc0, preproc.c 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 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11111 affects the Netwide Assembler (NASM) version 2.14rc0, a widely used assembler for x86 and x86-64 architectures that plays a critical role in low-level software development and system programming. This vulnerability resides within the preproc.c component of NASM, which handles preprocessing of assembly source files before compilation. The flaw represents a heap-based buffer overflow that can be triggered by feeding the assembler malformed input through crafted assembly files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where NASM processes untrusted code or user-supplied assembly inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the preprocessing module of NASM. When processing certain malformed assembly constructs, the preproc.c code fails to properly validate input lengths and buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and can result in application crashes, memory corruption, and potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution context. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service since the unspecified other impacts could include arbitrary code execution or information disclosure, making it particularly concerning for security-conscious environments.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-11111 are significant for software development environments that rely on NASM for building system components, firmware, or embedded applications. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by providing malicious assembly files to NASM, potentially causing build processes to fail or leading to more serious security implications if the assembler runs with elevated privileges or processes untrusted inputs from network sources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for executing malicious code through command-line interfaces, and T1499.004 for denial of service attacks targeting software components. The vulnerability affects development workflows, build automation systems, and continuous integration pipelines that utilize NASM for compiling assembly code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11111 should prioritize immediate patching of NASM to versions that address the heap-based buffer overflow in preproc.c. Organizations should implement input validation measures for any assembly files processed through NASM, particularly those originating from untrusted sources or user inputs. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal NASM process behavior or memory allocation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety practices in development tools and highlights the need for regular security assessments of assembler and compiler tools that form part of critical software supply chains. Additionally, implementing sandboxing or restricted execution environments for NASM processes can limit potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security updates and vulnerability management programs should ensure all development tools remain current with security patches.