CVE-2017-6448 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The dalvik_disassemble function in libr/asm/p/asm_dalvik.c in radare2 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack-based 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 • 11/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6448 resides within the radare2 reverse engineering framework, specifically in the dalvik_disassemble function located in libr/asm/p/asm_dalvik.c. This flaw affects version 1.2.1 of the software and represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted DEX files. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with processing untrusted binary data in mobile application analysis tools, where attackers can leverage malformed input to disrupt normal operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the dalvik_disassemble function which processes Dalvik Executable files used by Android applications. When radare2 encounters a malformed DEX file containing oversized or malformed data structures, the function fails to properly bounds-check buffer allocations, leading to stack corruption that results in application crashes or potential arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to a buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size, overwriting adjacent memory locations including stack canaries and return addresses.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6448 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the mobile security analysis domain. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to disrupt security analysis workflows, potentially causing analysts to lose access to critical debugging capabilities while examining suspicious Android applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated security scanning tools rely on radare2 for binary analysis, as it could be exploited to compromise entire security infrastructure. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Execution through Scripting, where malicious payloads could be designed to trigger the buffer overflow during analysis, potentially leading to privilege escalation or information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected radare2 installations to version 1.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as sandboxing analysis environments, implementing strict file validation procedures before processing suspicious DEX files, and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potentially malicious input patterns. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of analysis systems and establish robust monitoring protocols to detect unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in security tools and demonstrates how seemingly benign analysis functions can become attack vectors when proper memory safety controls are not implemented.