CVE-2018-11380 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The parse_import_ptr() 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 Mach-O file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11380 resides within the radare2 binary analysis framework version 2.5.0, specifically within the parse_import_ptr() function responsible for processing Mach-O file formats. This flaw represents a critical heap-based out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited remotely through the careful crafting of Mach-O binary files. The vulnerability manifests when radare2 attempts to parse import pointers in Mach-O files, where insufficient input validation leads to memory access violations beyond allocated heap boundaries. The affected function fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits when processing import table entries, creating a scenario where maliciously constructed Mach-O files can trigger memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read classification, which is categorized as a memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior including crashes, data leakage, or potential privilege escalation depending on the execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt legitimate analysis operations and potentially compromise system availability. When a vulnerable radare2 instance processes a crafted Mach-O file, the heap-based out-of-bounds read causes the application to crash, effectively rendering the binary analysis tool unusable for its intended purpose. This denial of service condition can be particularly damaging in security research environments where analysts rely on radare2 for malware analysis, reverse engineering tasks, or forensic investigations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where the application does not properly validate input data before attempting to access memory locations, creating opportunities for attackers to craft specific binary payloads that trigger the memory corruption. Such attacks can be particularly effective in automated analysis systems where radare2 is used in batch processing environments, potentially causing cascading failures across multiple analysis workflows.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could distribute malicious Mach-O files through social engineering campaigns or automated exploitation frameworks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that any system running radare2 and processing untrusted Mach-O files becomes a potential target, including security research labs, forensic analysis environments, and automated malware analysis platforms. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability suggests that attackers might be able to extract sensitive information from memory during the out-of-bounds read, though the primary impact remains the application crash. Mitigation strategies should focus on input validation improvements, heap memory protection mechanisms, and proper bounds checking within the parse_import_ptr() function. System administrators should immediately upgrade to radare2 versions that have patched this vulnerability, while security researchers should implement proper file validation procedures before processing potentially malicious binary content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of fuzzing and automated testing in security tool development, as similar issues could exist in other binary parsing functions within the radare2 framework. Organizations using radare2 for security analysis should consider implementing additional sandboxing measures and input sanitization protocols to reduce the attack surface when processing untrusted binary data.