CVE-2017-9929 in lrzip
Summary
by MITRE
In lrzip 0.631, a stack buffer overflow was found in the function get_fileinfo in lrzip.c:1074, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9929 represents a critical stack buffer overflow flaw within the lrzip compression utility version 0.631. This issue manifests specifically within the get_fileinfo function located in the lrzip.c source file at line 1074, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption during file processing operations. The lrzip utility is designed for high-performance compression of large files using a combination of lzma and rzip algorithms, making it a widely used tool in data archiving and backup scenarios across various computing environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious input file that triggers the buffer overflow condition during the parsing of file metadata. The stack-based buffer overflow results from inadequate bounds checking on user-supplied data, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. This flaw fundamentally violates the principle of input validation and memory safety that is essential for secure software development practices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant denial of service risks for systems that rely on lrzip for file compression operations. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the lrzip utility to crash or behave unpredictably, disrupting legitimate compression workflows and potentially leading to system instability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability could be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks targeting system availability, particularly in environments where automated compression processes are prevalent. Organizations using lrzip in production environments face potential operational downtime and data processing interruptions when this vulnerability is exploited, with the severity amplified in systems where compression utilities are integral to backup and archival procedures.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9929 should prioritize immediate patching of affected lrzip versions to address the buffer overflow condition in get_fileinfo function. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures and sanitize all file inputs processed by lrzip utilities to prevent exploitation. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious file processing patterns and implementing network segmentation to isolate compression services can provide layered defense mechanisms. From an operational security perspective, regular vulnerability assessments should include scanning for outdated compression utilities, while incident response procedures should account for potential exploitation of such memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499 sub-technique for Network Denial of Service, highlighting the potential for exploitation in service disruption attacks that align with broader threat actor methodologies targeting system availability.