CVE-2017-6596 in partclone
Summary
by MITRE
partclone.chkimg in partclone 0.2.89 is prone to a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability due to insufficient validation of the partclone image header. An attacker may be able to launch a 'Denial of Service attack' in the context of the user running the affected application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in partclone.chkimg version 0.2.89 represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation within the partclone image header processing mechanism. This vulnerability exists within the verification utility that is designed to check the integrity of partclone image files, making it a potential vector for malicious exploitation. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of the image header fields, allowing an attacker to craft specially malformed input that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a heap-allocated buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by adversaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates potential for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise system integrity. When an attacker successfully triggers the buffer overflow, the application crashes and terminates unexpectedly, resulting in denial of service for legitimate users who rely on partclone functionality for disk imaging and backup operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates in the context of the user running the affected application, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation if the application runs with elevated permissions. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for denial of service, and potentially T1068 which involves the exploitation of system vulnerabilities for privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input validation occurs after buffer allocation rather than before, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's memory layout. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that memory corruption occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions, making exploitation more complex but also more dangerous as it can lead to arbitrary code execution. Attackers could potentially craft malicious partclone image files with oversized header fields that trigger the buffer overflow when chkimg processes them, causing the application to write beyond its intended memory boundaries and potentially corrupt adjacent memory segments. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue that violates fundamental security principles outlined in industry standards such as the CERT Secure Coding Standards, which specifically warn against improper buffer management in heap-allocated memory regions. The vulnerability affects systems where partclone is installed and used for disk imaging operations, particularly in environments where users may process untrusted image files or where automated systems might encounter malformed input during routine operations. Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the partclone package to version 0.2.90 or later, implementing input validation checks in the application code, and applying principle of least privilege to limit the execution context of the chkimg utility. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques and input sanitization processes to prevent exploitation attempts and reduce the attack surface of vulnerable applications.