CVE-2017-12960 in PSPP
Summary
by MITRE
There is a reachable assertion abort in the function dict_rename_var() in data/dictionary.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-2017-12960 resides within the GNU PSPP statistical analysis software suite, specifically in the libpspp library component version 0.11.0. This flaw manifests as a reachable assertion abort within the dict_rename_var() function located in the data/dictionary.c source file. The issue represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited remotely, potentially disrupting the operation of systems that rely on PSPP for statistical data processing and analysis.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the dictionary management functionality of the library. When processing certain malformed or unexpected input data through the dict_rename_var() function, the software encounters a condition that triggers an assertion failure, causing the application to terminate abruptly. This assertion abort occurs during variable renaming operations within the dictionary structure, which is fundamental to how PSPP manages data variables and their attributes. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and lacks proper bounds checking or input sanitization mechanisms that would prevent the assertion from being triggered by maliciously crafted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects the reliability and availability of statistical analysis workflows that depend on GNU PSPP. Remote exploitation allows attackers to craft specific inputs that cause the application to crash, potentially leading to complete denial of service for legitimate users attempting to perform data analysis tasks. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on PSPP for research data processing, academic statistical analysis, or business intelligence applications where uninterrupted operation is critical. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making it a significant threat vector for networked environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12960 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest stable versions of GNU PSPP where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and error handling. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of PSPP instances to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be deployed to detect unusual patterns of service termination or crash events that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-617, which addresses reachable assertions, and represents a classic example of how improper error handling can lead to denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service, and the T1566.001 technique involving social engineering through malicious file delivery that could include crafted PSPP data files. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues in other components of their statistical analysis toolchains.