CVE-2017-6009 in icoutils
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in icoutils 0.31.1. A buffer overflow was observed in the "decode_ne_resource_id" function in the "restable.c" source file. This is happening because the "len" parameter for memcpy is not checked for size and thus becomes a negative integer in the process, resulting in a failed memcpy. This affects wrestool.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6009 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the icoutils software package version 0.31.1, specifically manifesting in the decode_ne_resource_id function located in the restable.c source file. This issue fundamentally compromises the integrity of memory operations within the wrestool utility, which is designed for extracting and manipulating icon and cursor resources from windows executable files. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize the len parameter before its utilization in memory copying operations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when the len parameter becomes negative during processing, which subsequently causes the memcpy function to attempt copying an invalid memory region. This negative length value originates from improper handling of resource identifier parsing within the NE (New Executable) file format processing logic. The absence of proper bounds checking for the length parameter creates a condition where maliciously crafted input can trigger the buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on memory operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to compromise systems that utilize icoutils for processing untrusted executable content. When wrestool processes maliciously formatted resource files, the buffer overflow can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing for code injection attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the processing of windows executable resources, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted software packages or executables from unknown sources. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the wrestool utility, thereby creating a significant security risk for systems processing potentially malicious executable content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6009 should prioritize immediate patching of affected icoutils versions to remediate the buffer overflow condition in the decode_ne_resource_id function. System administrators should implement strict input validation controls when processing executable resources, particularly those from untrusted sources. The solution involves adding comprehensive bounds checking for all memory operations, specifically ensuring that the len parameter is validated before being passed to memcpy functions. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for any utility processing executable content, as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1059.101 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Additionally, regular security assessments of software libraries and utilities should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions that may exist in other components of the system infrastructure, following security best practices established by organizations such as the Open Web Application Security Project. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in preventing exploitation of buffer overflow conditions that can lead to complete system compromise.