CVE-2017-2816 in LibOFX
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the tag parsing functionality of LibOFX 0.9.11. A specially crafted OFX file can cause a write out of bounds resulting in a buffer overflow on the stack. An attacker can construct a malicious OFX file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2816 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within LibOFX version 0.9.11, a widely used open source library for parsing Open Financial Exchange files. This library serves as a crucial component in financial software applications that process electronic financial data, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The flaw manifests specifically within the tag parsing functionality, which is responsible for interpreting the structured data format used in OFX files for financial transactions and account information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of OFX tags, which are the fundamental data elements that define financial information within these files. When processing malformed OFX content, the library fails to properly validate the length of data being read into fixed-size buffers, creating a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition. The flaw occurs because the parsing routine does not enforce proper size limitations on incoming tag data, allowing an attacker to craft OFX files with oversized data sequences that exceed allocated memory boundaries. This results in memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent stack variables and potentially lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for remote code execution within applications that utilize LibOFX for financial data processing. Since OFX files are commonly exchanged between financial institutions and their clients, this vulnerability could be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or automated file processing systems. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges to exploit, as the vulnerability exists within a library that processes untrusted data from external sources. This makes it a prime target for phishing campaigns or automated malware distribution mechanisms targeting financial institutions and their customers.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The attack pattern follows typical exploitation techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 Exploitation for Execution technique, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code. Organizations using LibOFX 0.9.11 or earlier versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, library updates, and network segmentation to prevent exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of LibOFX or implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within applications that process OFX data to prevent the overflow condition from occurring.