CVE-2017-5208 in icoutils
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the wrestool program in icoutils before 0.31.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted executable, which triggers a denial of service (application crash) or the possibility of execution of arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5208 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the wrestool utility component of the icoutils package, affecting versions prior to 0.31.1. This vulnerability resides in the handling of executable files and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that can be exploited to compromise system integrity. The wrestool program serves as a tool for extracting icons and other resources from executable files, making it a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to disrupt system operations or execute unauthorized code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling within the wrestool utility. When processing specially crafted executable files, the program fails to properly validate integer values during resource parsing operations, leading to an integer overflow condition. This overflow results in memory corruption that can manifest as application crashes or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. The flaw operates by manipulating the size parameters of resource structures within executable files, causing the program to allocate insufficient memory or overflow allocated buffers during processing operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a common pathway for privilege escalation attacks in system utilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5208 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable environments. Attackers can craft malicious executable files that trigger the overflow condition when processed by the wrestool utility, creating opportunities for system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that utilize icoutils for processing executable files or that have the wrestool utility available in their execution paths. The risk is amplified in environments where users might process untrusted executable files or where automated systems process file collections without proper sanitization. The potential for remote exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous in networked environments where attackers can deliver malicious payloads through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5208 should prioritize immediate patching of affected icoutils installations to version 0.31.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive software inventory management to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of icoutils and ensure timely updates. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for executable file processing, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing secure file handling protocols that prevent processing of untrusted executables. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through utility programs, making it relevant to both defensive and offensive security operations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other system utilities, as such flaws often follow similar patterns and can be exploited with comparable methods.