CVE-2017-12463 in CCN-lite
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the ccnl_app_RX function in ccnl-uapi.c in CCN-lite before 2.00 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via vectors involving an envelope_s structure pointer when the packet format is unknown.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12463 represents a critical memory management flaw within the CCN-lite software library, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.00. This memory leak occurs within the ccnl_app_RX function located in the ccnl-uapi.c file, demonstrating a fundamental failure in resource allocation and deallocation practices that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system stability. The issue manifests when processing packets with unknown formats, creating a scenario where memory allocated for envelope_s structure pointers remains unreleased, leading to progressive memory consumption over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling and memory management within the packet processing pipeline of CCN-lite. When the system encounters a packet with an unrecognized format, the ccnl_app_RX function fails to properly clean up memory resources associated with the envelope_s structure pointer, resulting in a gradual accumulation of unreclaimed memory blocks. This type of memory leak falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory after its allocation, and represents a classic example of resource exhaustion vulnerabilities that can be systematically exploited through repeated malicious inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, creating a potential denial of service condition that can severely degrade system performance or cause complete system failure. Attackers can strategically send malformed packets with unknown formats to repeatedly trigger the memory leak, causing the system to consume increasing amounts of available memory until system stability is compromised. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running CCN-lite versions before 2.00, where the memory management routines have not been updated to properly handle error conditions and resource cleanup. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation requires specific conditions related to packet format recognition, making it more targeted but still highly dangerous in environments where the software processes diverse packet types.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12463 primarily focus on upgrading to CCN-lite version 2.00 or later, where the memory management issues have been resolved through proper resource cleanup procedures. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of CCN-lite are updated to versions containing the necessary memory leak fixes. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions that track memory consumption patterns and can alert when unusual increases occur, providing early detection of potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving resource exhaustion and denial of service, specifically targeting the system's ability to maintain stable memory allocation through the use of memory leaks as a persistent attack vector. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and error handling in network protocols, emphasizing the need for robust memory management practices that prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components.