CVE-2017-9762 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The cmd_info function in libr/core/cmd_info.c in radare2 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and application crash) via a crafted binary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9762 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the radare2 reverse engineering framework version 1.5.0. This flaw exists in the cmd_info function located in the libr/core/cmd_info.c source file, which is part of the core command processing module responsible for analyzing and displaying information about binary files. The vulnerability manifests when radare2 processes specially crafted binary files that trigger improper memory management during the information retrieval process, creating a scenario where freed memory regions are accessed after deallocation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of binary file structures that cause the cmd_info function to execute code paths leading to memory corruption. When radare2 encounters a malformed input file, the function fails to properly validate memory references before accessing previously freed memory locations, resulting in undefined behavior. This memory management flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities where program memory is accessed after it has been freed, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through the processing of malicious binary files without requiring user interaction or special privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can lead to complete application crashes and potential exploitation for more severe attacks. When the use-after-free condition occurs, the application experiences a segmentation fault or memory corruption that results in an abrupt termination of the radare2 process. This disruption affects security researchers, penetration testers, and forensic analysts who rely on radare2 for binary analysis, potentially interrupting critical security assessments or forensic investigations. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the analysis environment and can prevent users from obtaining crucial information about binary files, making it particularly problematic in security research and incident response scenarios where uninterrupted analysis is essential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9762 should prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to radare2 version 1.5.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues in the cmd_info function. System administrators and security professionals should implement proper input validation for binary files processed through radare2, including the use of sandboxed environments and file format verification before analysis. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices in security tools, particularly those handling untrusted input data. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates, as this vulnerability could potentially be exploited in advanced persistent threat scenarios where attackers might attempt to leverage such flaws to compromise security analysis environments. Additionally, defensive measures should include monitoring for abnormal application behavior and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities in reverse engineering tools.