CVE-2017-16357 in radare
Summary
by MITRE
In radare 2.0.1, a memory corruption vulnerability exists in store_versioninfo_gnu_verdef() and store_versioninfo_gnu_verneed() in libr/bin/format/elf/elf.c, as demonstrated by an invalid free. This error is due to improper sh_size validation when allocating memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16357 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting radare2 version 2.0.1, specifically within the ELF binary parsing functionality. This issue manifests in the store_versioninfo_gnu_verdef() and store_versioninfo_gnu_verneed() functions located in the libr/bin/format/elf/elf.c file, where improper validation of section size parameters leads to dangerous memory operations. The flaw occurs when the software attempts to allocate memory based on malformed section size values without adequate validation, creating conditions where invalid free operations can occur during binary analysis processes. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management errors that have been consistently categorized by CWE as CWE-122, which deals with heap-based buffer overflow conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when radare2 processes ELF binary files containing malformed version information sections. During normal operation, the software parses these sections to extract version information for display and analysis purposes. However, when encountering sections with invalid sh_size values, the memory allocation logic fails to properly validate these parameters before proceeding with memory operations. This validation failure creates a scenario where the software attempts to allocate memory based on corrupted size values, leading to heap corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that are commonly exploited in software security attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16357 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of radare2. Since radare2 is widely used for reverse engineering, malware analysis, and security research, this vulnerability could be exploited in environments where analysts process untrusted binary files. The potential for remote code execution through carefully crafted ELF binaries makes this particularly concerning for security professionals who rely on radare2 for their work. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to construct a malicious ELF binary with specifically crafted version information sections that trigger the memory corruption during parsing, making it a targeted attack vector rather than a widespread vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to versions that have patched the memory validation issues in the ELF parsing code. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize updating radare2 installations to versions that include proper sh_size validation before processing untrusted binary files. Additionally, implementing defensive measures such as input sanitization and memory protection mechanisms can help reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious binary files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of system binaries and tools for exploitation, making proper patch management and application whitelisting essential defensive measures. The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in security-critical software components, particularly those involved in parsing complex binary formats.