CVE-2017-16805 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
In radare2 2.0.1, libr/bin/dwarf.c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid read and application crash) via a crafted ELF file, related to r_bin_dwarf_parse_comp_unit in dwarf.c and sdb_set_internal in shlr/sdb/src/sdb.c.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16805 affects radare2 version 2.0.1 and represents a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted ELF files. This vulnerability resides within the binary analysis component of radare2, specifically in the dwarf.c file which handles debugging information parsing for ELF binaries. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted ELF files containing malformed DWARF debugging information, leading to invalid memory reads and subsequent application crashes. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the r_bin_dwarf_parse_comp_unit function in libr/bin/dwarf.c, which fails to properly sanitize or reject malformed debugging data structures.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper memory access patterns during the parsing of compilation unit information within DWARF debugging sections. When radare2 attempts to parse the compilation unit headers and associated debugging information, the sdb_set_internal function in shlr/sdb/src/sdb.c becomes involved in the processing chain. This interaction creates a scenario where invalid memory pointers or out-of-bounds access occurs, resulting in segmentation faults and application termination. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to both denial of service and potential information disclosure. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the code assumes valid input without proper validation checks, making it susceptible to malformed data inputs that can cause unexpected behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt the functionality of systems that rely on radare2 for binary analysis tasks. This includes security research environments, reverse engineering workflows, and automated malware analysis systems that utilize radare2 for processing potentially malicious files. The remote exploitation capability means that an attacker could potentially send a crafted ELF file to a system running radare2, causing it to crash and potentially deny service to legitimate users. In security analysis contexts, this vulnerability could be particularly problematic as it undermines the reliability of automated analysis tools that depend on radare2's binary parsing capabilities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command-line interfaces, as the application crash could be triggered through normal file processing operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation and robust error handling within the affected components. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of radare2 where the dwarf parsing logic has been enhanced with proper bounds checking and input sanitization. Additionally, implementing defensive programming practices such as bounds checking in the sdb_set_internal function and proper error handling in r_bin_dwarf_parse_comp_unit would prevent the invalid memory access patterns that lead to crashes. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted ELF files, isolating the binary analysis operations to prevent system-wide impact from potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of memory safety practices and proper input validation in security tools, as these applications often process untrusted data and must maintain robustness against malformed inputs. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to ensure that such memory safety issues are addressed promptly, as they can potentially be escalated to more severe exploits if additional vulnerabilities exist in the same code paths.