CVE-2017-12958 in PSPP
Summary
by MITRE
There is an illegal address access in the function output_hex() in data/data-out.c of the libpspp library in GNU PSPP 0.11.0 that will lead to remote denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12958 resides within the GNU PSPP library version 0.11.0, specifically in the data/data-out.c file where the output_hex() function exhibits improper memory handling behavior. This flaw represents a classic case of improper input validation and memory access control that can be exploited to cause system instability. The issue manifests when the library processes certain input data structures that trigger the function to attempt accessing memory locations outside the bounds of allocated buffers, creating a scenario where unauthorized memory access occurs.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper bounds checking within the output_hex() function implementation. When processing data streams, the function fails to validate the size and structure of input parameters before attempting to access memory locations. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The vulnerability creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious input data that causes the function to reference memory addresses that are either unmapped or unauthorized for access, resulting in memory access violations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for remote denial of service attacks against systems utilizing GNU PSPP library components. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially lead to application crashes, system instability, or even privilege escalation in certain configurations. Attackers can remotely trigger this condition by providing specially crafted data inputs to applications that depend on the vulnerable library, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where input validation may be insufficient. The vulnerability affects any system running GNU PSPP 0.11.0 or earlier versions where the library is used to process data streams, including statistical analysis applications and data processing systems.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-12958 requires immediate patching of the GNU PSPP library to version 0.11.1 or later where the memory access validation has been corrected. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at application layers that utilize the library, ensuring that all data passed to the output_hex() function is properly sanitized and within expected parameter bounds. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous data processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms in software development lifecycle processes.