CVE-2018-11384 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The sh_op() 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-2018-11384 resides within the sh_op() function of radare2 version 2.5.0, a widely used reverse engineering framework and binary analysis tool. This flaw represents a critical heap-based out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers through the careful crafting of ELF files. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of section header operations during binary analysis, where the function fails to properly validate input data structures before processing them. When a maliciously crafted ELF file is loaded into radare2, the sh_op() function attempts to read memory beyond the allocated heap boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior and ultimately application crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt legitimate analysis workflows and potentially escalate to more serious security implications. When exploited, the heap-based out-of-bounds read causes radare2 to crash immediately upon loading the malicious ELF file, effectively preventing analysts from performing their intended reverse engineering tasks. This disruption can be particularly damaging in security research environments where analysts rely on radare2 for critical forensic analysis and vulnerability assessment activities. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within the binary parsing components of the tool, highlighting the importance of robust bounds checking in security-critical applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by preparing ELF files with malformed section headers that trigger the vulnerable code path during normal operation.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for the execution of malicious code through file manipulation, and represents a classic example of how seemingly benign file format parsing can become a vector for system compromise. The vulnerability affects users who employ radare2 for legitimate purposes such as malware analysis, software security auditing, and binary exploitation research, making it particularly concerning for security professionals who depend on this tool. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability suggests that attackers might be able to extract sensitive information from memory locations adjacent to the corrupted heap regions, though the primary impact remains denial of service. Organizations and researchers using radare2 in production environments or security research labs should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern that could disrupt their workflow and potentially expose them to more sophisticated attacks if exploited further. The fix for this vulnerability required implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the sh_op() function to ensure that section header operations do not exceed allocated memory boundaries, which represents a fundamental security improvement for the tool's binary parsing capabilities.