CVE-2017-6319 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The dex_parse_debug_item function in libr/bin/p/bin_dex.c in radare2 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted DEX file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6319 resides within the radare2 reverse engineering framework, specifically in the dex_parse_debug_item function located in libr/bin/p/bin_dex.c at version 1.2.1. This flaw represents a critical buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by remote attackers through the careful crafting of malicious DEX files. The affected component processes Android Dalvik Executable files, which are fundamental to Android application distribution and analysis, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for security researchers and mobile application analysts who rely on radare2 for binary analysis.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the dex_parse_debug_item function when processing debug information sections in DEX files. When radare2 encounters a malformed DEX file containing oversized or malformed debug data structures, the parsing routine fails to validate buffer boundaries before copying or processing debug information. This lack of input validation creates a classic buffer overflow scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions, leading to unpredictable application behavior. The vulnerability manifests as either a denial of service through application crash or potentially more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution, depending on the specific memory corruption patterns and the attacker's ability to control the input data flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6319 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of security analysis workflows that depend on radare2. Security professionals and researchers who analyze Android applications using this tool face significant risk when processing untrusted DEX files, as the vulnerability can be triggered remotely through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious application repositories. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-125, heap-based buffer overflows, depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communication and T1583.001 for acquiring resources, as attackers could leverage this weakness to disrupt security analysis operations or potentially establish persistent access through compromised analysis environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6319 should prioritize immediate patching of radare2 installations to versions that contain proper bounds checking and input validation for debug information parsing. Organizations should implement strict DEX file validation procedures before analysis, including automated scanning for malformed structures and sandboxed processing environments for untrusted binaries. Network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure to potentially malicious DEX files, while regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other binary analysis tools. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate DEX file processing capabilities, maintaining the tool's effectiveness in legitimate security analysis operations while eliminating the buffer overflow risk.