CVE-2017-5975 in ZZIPlib
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the __zzip_get64 function in fetch.c in zziplib 0.13.62 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted ZIP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2025
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5975 resides within the zziplib library version 0.13.62, specifically within the __zzip_get64 function located in the fetch.c source file. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against systems utilizing the affected library. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of ZIP file archives, where the function fails to validate the size of data being read from compressed archives before attempting to store it in heap-allocated memory buffers.
The technical flaw manifests when the __zzip_get64 function processes crafted ZIP files containing maliciously formatted data structures. During the extraction process, the function attempts to read 64-bit values from the ZIP archive header without adequate validation of the buffer boundaries. When confronted with oversized or malformed data within the archive, the function performs heap memory operations that exceed the allocated buffer size, resulting in memory corruption. This heap overflow condition creates unpredictable behavior that can lead to application crashes, program termination, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution environment and memory layout.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on zziplib for ZIP archive processing, including web applications, file processing services, and software distribution platforms. Attackers can craft malicious ZIP files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the buffer overflow condition and cause the targeted application to crash. This creates a reliable denial of service scenario where legitimate users cannot access services that depend on proper ZIP file handling. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can influence the ZIP file processing workflow.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration as a critical flaw in memory management. This classification indicates that the weakness occurs in heap memory allocation where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack pattern corresponds to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks through exploitation of software vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5975 primarily involve upgrading to zziplib version 0.13.63 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications utilizing the affected library, ensuring that proper patch management procedures are implemented. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls for ZIP file processing, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect suspicious file processing activities. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for ZIP file handling and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.