CVE-2018-10058 in cgminer
Summary
by MITRE
The remote management interface of cgminer 4.10.0 and bfgminer 5.5.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code due to a stack-based buffer overflow in the addpool, failover-only, poolquota, and save command handlers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10058 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting remote management interfaces in cgminer version 4.10.0 and bfgminer version 5.5.0. This vulnerability resides within the command handler implementations for addpool failover-only poolquota and save commands, creating a significant attack surface for authenticated remote adversaries. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the mining software's management interface, which processes commands from remote administrators. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the buffer overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mining daemon process. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it allows attackers to gain full control over the mining operations and potentially compromise the underlying system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a serious concern for cryptocurrency mining operations that rely on these mining software variants. The affected systems typically operate in environments where remote management capabilities are enabled, making them susceptible to exploitation by attackers who can authenticate to the management interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can establish a connection to the mining software's remote management interface. The buffer overflow occurs during command processing when the software fails to properly validate the length of input data provided in the affected command handlers. Specifically, when processing commands such as addpool failover-only poolquota and save, the software does not adequately check input boundaries, allowing attackers to supply maliciously crafted input that exceeds allocated buffer space. This overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information in the stack memory. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific input sequences that cause the buffer to overflow and redirect program execution flow to attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability's presence in multiple command handlers increases the attack surface and provides multiple potential entry points for exploitation. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the memory layout is predictable and exploitable, particularly when combined with other techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate memory management within the mining software's management interface implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10058 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over mining operations and potentially the underlying host system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify mining pool configurations, terminate mining operations, or redirect computational resources to unauthorized mining pools. The compromised system may also serve as a pivot point for further attacks within the network, particularly in environments where mining equipment operates on internal networks. The financial implications are substantial as attackers can redirect mining profits to their own wallets or cause service disruption that impacts mining revenue. Organizations running these mining software versions face increased risk of cryptocurrency theft, operational disruption, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability affects both cgminer and bfgminer software, which are widely deployed in mining operations globally, amplifying the potential impact across the cryptocurrency mining ecosystem. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within mining operations, potentially enabling long-term surveillance or resource exploitation. The attack vector through the remote management interface means that attackers do not require physical access to the mining hardware, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for distributed mining operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10058 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for mining operations. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to patched versions of cgminer and bfgminer that address the buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the affected command handlers. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate mining equipment from general network access and restrict remote management interface access to trusted administrative networks only. Additional security measures include disabling unnecessary remote management features when not actively required, implementing strong authentication mechanisms with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns related to mining software commands. Network access controls should be configured to limit who can connect to the mining software management interfaces, reducing the attack surface for authenticated exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual command sequences or patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of mining infrastructure are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious command sequences targeting mining software interfaces. The implementation of secure coding practices and regular security updates for mining software components helps prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for critical infrastructure components such as cryptocurrency mining operations.