CVE-2017-8359 in gRPC
Summary
by MITRE
Google gRPC before 2017-03-29 has an out-of-bounds write caused by a heap-based use-after-free related to the grpc_call_destroy function in core/lib/surface/call.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8359 represents a critical heap-based use-after-free condition within Google gRPC library versions prior to 2017-03-29. This flaw resides in the core/lib/surface/call.c file and specifically affects the grpc_call_destroy function which handles the cleanup process for gRPC calls. The out-of-bounds write vulnerability occurs when the library attempts to free memory that has already been deallocated, creating a scenario where subsequent memory operations may overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to trigger a specific sequence of operations that causes the gRPC call destruction process to access freed memory regions. When grpc_call_destroy is invoked, the library performs cleanup operations on call structures that may have already been freed by previous operations. The heap-based nature of this flaw means that the memory corruption occurs within the heap allocation space, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit. The out-of-bounds write aspect indicates that the memory corruption extends beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially overwriting critical data structures or function pointers that govern program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8359 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited in networked environments. Since gRPC is widely used for inter-service communication in distributed applications, a successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running gRPC versions before the patch release, making it a significant concern for organizations utilizing microservices architectures or any application that relies on gRPC for communication. The vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate privileges, cause denial of service conditions, or potentially establish persistent access to target systems.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to gRPC versions released after March 29, 2017, which contain the necessary patches to address this heap-based use-after-free condition. The remediation process involves updating the gRPC library across all affected systems and validating that the patch has been properly applied. Security teams should implement monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns or potential exploitation attempts in their network traffic analysis tools. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may be running outdated versions of gRPC or related components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks that can be facilitated through memory corruption vulnerabilities. The patch addresses the root cause by ensuring proper memory management during call destruction operations and implementing additional safeguards against double-free conditions.