CVE-2018-10186 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
In radare2 2.5.0, there is a heap-based buffer over-read in the r_hex_bin2str function (libr/util/hex.c). Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause a denial of service via a crafted DEX file. This issue is different from CVE-2017-15368.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10186 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the radare2 reverse engineering framework version 2.5.0. This issue specifically affects the r_hex_bin2str function located in the libr/util/hex.c source file, making it a fundamental component of the software's hexadecimal processing capabilities. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking when handling binary data conversion operations, particularly when processing DEX (Dalvik Executable) files that are commonly used in android application development and analysis. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the program's memory access patterns through carefully crafted input data, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when radare2 processes malformed DEX files that contain specially constructed binary data sequences. The r_hex_bin2str function attempts to convert binary data into hexadecimal string representations without proper validation of input boundaries, allowing an attacker to provide input that exceeds the allocated buffer space. This over-read condition can result in the program accessing memory locations beyond its intended buffer boundaries, potentially reading sensitive data from adjacent memory regions or causing the application to crash during execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through the processing of malicious DEX files, making it a significant threat to automated analysis systems and security research environments that rely on radare2 for binary examination.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for security professionals and researchers who depend on radare2 for malware analysis, reverse engineering, and binary security assessment tasks. The denial of service condition can disrupt critical analysis workflows, forcing analysts to restart their tools and potentially lose valuable research data. When exploited in automated scanning systems or security testing environments, this vulnerability can cause cascading failures that impact entire analysis pipelines and compromise the reliability of security assessments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability through DEX file processing means that malicious actors can deploy this attack vector in contexts where automated binary analysis is performed, potentially leading to service disruption across multiple systems that utilize radare2 for security operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" which categorizes issues where programs access memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. This classification places the flaw within the broader context of memory safety vulnerabilities that represent one of the most prevalent categories of software defects in security-critical applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of the T1059.007: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" or T1059.008: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" tactics when attackers manipulate analysis tools to disrupt security operations, though the direct attack vector involves file-based exploitation rather than command execution. The issue also relates to T1588.001: "Tactics and Techniques: Phishing with Malicious Attachments" where attackers could use the vulnerability to disrupt security analysis capabilities during malware research activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10186 should prioritize immediate software updates to radare2 versions that address the buffer over-read condition in the r_hex_bin2str function. System administrators and security professionals should implement strict file validation procedures for DEX files and other binary formats processed by radare2, including content scanning and sandboxing techniques to isolate potentially malicious inputs. The implementation of memory safety enhancements such as address sanitizer instrumentation and heap protection mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider deploying network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious DEX files while maintaining operational security for legitimate reverse engineering activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated radare2 installations to prevent exploitation of this and similar memory safety vulnerabilities in security tooling environments.