CVE-2018-11376 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The r_read_le32() function in radare2 2.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11376 resides within the radare2 reverse engineering framework version 2.5.0, specifically within the r_read_le32() function that handles little-endian 32-bit integer reading operations. This flaw represents a classic heap-based out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited remotely through the careful crafting of ELF file structures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking when processing binary data, particularly in how the function interprets and reads memory locations that do not correspond to legitimate data structures within the ELF file format.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in memory access control and buffer management within the radare2 codebase. When the r_read_le32() function processes a malformed ELF file, it attempts to read 32 bits of data from a memory location that may extend beyond the allocated heap boundaries or into unallocated memory regions. This improper memory access pattern creates a scenario where the application reads data from locations that were not intended to be accessed, potentially exposing sensitive information or causing the application to crash due to access violations. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and binary parsing, where the expected structure of ELF headers does not match the actual data structure provided by the malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt the normal operation of systems that rely on radare2 for security analysis, malware reverse engineering, or binary inspection tasks. When exploited, the heap-based out-of-bounds read causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, effectively rendering the security analysis tool unavailable for legitimate use cases. This disruption can be particularly problematic in security research environments where radare2 is used extensively for vulnerability analysis, malware investigation, or penetration testing activities, as it directly impacts the availability of critical security tools. The vulnerability affects any system running radare2 2.5.0 that processes untrusted ELF files, making it a significant concern for security professionals who may inadvertently process malicious files during their analysis work.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11376 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that contain patches addressing the buffer overflow and out-of-bounds read conditions. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures for all binary files processed by radare2, including the use of sandboxing techniques to isolate file analysis operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through malicious file processing. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based controls to prevent the processing of untrusted ELF files and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices including bounds checking, memory validation, and proper error handling when processing binary formats to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in future versions of the software.
The root cause of this vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and memory safety practices in security tools that process untrusted binary data. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple parsing functions can become attack vectors when proper bounds checking is omitted, particularly in environments where tools must handle diverse and potentially malicious input formats. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for security-conscious development practices and comprehensive testing of security tools against adversarial inputs to prevent exploitation scenarios that could compromise the availability and integrity of security analysis capabilities.