CVE-2017-9434 in Crypto++
Summary
by MITRE
Crypto++ (aka cryptopp) through 5.6.5 contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in zinflate.cpp in the Inflator filter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The Crypto++ library version 5.6.5 and earlier contains a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the zinflate.cpp file within the Inflator filter component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation during decompression operations, specifically when processing compressed data streams. The flaw allows an attacker to provide maliciously crafted compressed data that triggers memory access beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such out-of-bounds reads can lead to information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution environment and memory layout. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core decompression functionality that is widely used across various applications and systems relying on Crypto++ for cryptographic operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the decompression algorithm. When the Inflator filter processes compressed data, it does not adequately validate the length or structure of incoming data before attempting to read from memory locations. This specific flaw is categorized under CWE-125, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability manifests during the inflate process where the decompression routine attempts to access memory regions that have not been properly validated against the actual data boundaries. The issue is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through normal decompression operations without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous systems and applications that depend on Crypto++ for data compression and decompression tasks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted compressed data that, when processed by vulnerable applications, causes the out-of-bounds memory access. This could result in sensitive information leakage from adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, user data, or system credentials. Additionally, the vulnerability may lead to denial of service conditions where applications crash or become unresponsive due to memory access violations. The widespread adoption of Crypto++ in both commercial and open source projects amplifies the potential scope of impact, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where compressed data processing is common.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Crypto++ version 6.0 or later, where the out-of-bounds read issue has been addressed through enhanced input validation and proper bounds checking. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications that utilize affected versions of Crypto++. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious decompression activities and consider implementing additional input sanitization layers where possible. The fix implemented in newer versions follows established security practices for preventing buffer overflows and out-of-bounds access conditions, aligning with recommendations from the software security community and industry standards. Regular patch management processes should be reinforced to ensure timely adoption of security updates, particularly for cryptographic libraries that handle sensitive data processing operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of thorough input validation in cryptographic implementations and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when memory safety mechanisms are insufficiently implemented.