CVE-2017-15101 in Liblouis
Summary
by MITRE
A missing patch for a stack-based buffer overflow in findTable() was found in Red Hat version of liblouis before 2.5.4. An attacker could cause a denial of service condition or potentially even arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15101 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Red Hat packaged version of liblouis library prior to version 2.5.4. This issue specifically affects the findTable() function which serves as a core component in the liblouis braille translation library used for converting text to braille formats. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the stack memory allocation process, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the findTable() function failing to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. When an attacker provides input that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. This condition creates opportunities for both denial of service attacks through program crashes and more severe exploitation scenarios involving arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise. In environments where liblouis is integrated into accessibility services, document processing pipelines, or braille generation systems, an attacker could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the foundational text processing capabilities within accessibility software, potentially impacting users who rely on braille translation services for their daily operations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15101 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected liblouis installations to version 2.5.4 or later, which includes the necessary fixes for the stack buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify all instances of the vulnerable library across their infrastructure and ensure timely remediation. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls, deploying application whitelisting solutions, and monitoring for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which addresses local privilege escalation and T1499 which covers denial of service attacks, emphasizing the need for both immediate patching and broader security posture improvements to prevent exploitation attempts.