CVE-2017-11731 in Ming
Summary
by MITRE
An invalid memory read vulnerability was found in the function OpCode (called from isLogicalOp and decompileIF) in util/decompile.c in Ming 0.4.8, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11731 represents a critical memory access flaw within the Ming library version 0.4.8, specifically within the decompile.c source file. This issue manifests as an invalid memory read condition that occurs during the processing of malformed input files, creating a potential avenue for denial of service attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it stems from improper input validation within the library's decompilation functionality, which is commonly used for processing various file formats including those associated with flash content and related binary structures.
The technical flaw resides in the OpCode function which serves as a crucial component within the decompilation pipeline, specifically being invoked from both isLogicalOp and decompileIF functions. When processing crafted input files, the function fails to properly validate memory access boundaries, leading to attempts to read from invalid memory locations. This memory access violation typically results in program termination or system instability, effectively enabling attackers to craft malicious files that can crash applications utilizing the Ming library. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and input validation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the library processes untrusted input from external sources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems that rely on the Ming library for file processing, particularly in web applications, content management systems, and any platform that handles user-uploaded files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by preparing specially crafted files that trigger the invalid memory read when the library attempts to parse them, leading to service disruption and potential system crashes. The nature of the flaw means that even simple file uploads could result in denial of service conditions affecting availability of services, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt system operations. Organizations using affected versions of Ming may experience unexpected application terminations, resource exhaustion, or complete service outages when processing malicious inputs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11731 should prioritize immediate patching of the Ming library to version 0.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory read vulnerability. System administrators should implement input validation measures to filter or reject suspicious file formats before they reach the decompilation processing stage, employing techniques such as file type verification, size limits, and content scanning. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems utilizing the affected library, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior or crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing operations and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle denial of service scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, representing an out-of-bounds read condition, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499 for network denial of service, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls to prevent exploitation and maintain system availability.