CVE-2018-11737 in The Sleuth Kit
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in libtskfs.a in The Sleuth Kit (TSK) from release 4.0.2 through to 4.6.1. An out-of-bounds read of a memory region was found in the function ntfs_fix_idxrec in tsk/fs/ntfs_dent.cpp which could be leveraged by an attacker to disclose information or manipulated to read from unmapped memory causing a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11737 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within The Sleuth Kit's ntfs_dent.cpp file, specifically within the ntfs_fix_idxrec function of the libtskfs.a library. This issue affects versions ranging from 4.0.2 through 4.6.1, making it a widespread concern for digital forensics tools that rely on this library for filesystem analysis. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the processing of NTFS filesystem structures, particularly when handling index records that are essential for directory traversal and file recovery operations.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the ntfs_fix_idxrec function where the code fails to properly validate array indices before accessing memory regions. When processing NTFS filesystem metadata, the function attempts to read from memory locations that may exceed the allocated bounds of the data structure being examined. This improper memory access pattern creates opportunities for attackers to either extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations or force the application into a crash state through access to unmapped memory regions. The vulnerability manifests as a classic buffer over-read condition that can be triggered during normal filesystem parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it could potentially enable information disclosure attacks that expose sensitive data residing in memory. Digital forensics analysts and security professionals who rely on The Sleuth Kit for investigating compromised systems face significant risks when processing NTFS volumes, as maliciously crafted filesystem structures could trigger the vulnerability. The out-of-bounds read could expose filesystem metadata, user data, or even internal application state information that should remain protected. Additionally, the potential for denial of service means that forensic investigations could be interrupted or completely halted when encountering specific filesystem conditions that trigger this flaw.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient bounds checking in memory operations. The ATT&CK framework would classify this as a technique involving software exploitation, specifically targeting defensive tools used in incident response and digital forensics. The vulnerability demonstrates how forensic tools themselves can become attack vectors when not properly secured against malformed input data. Organizations relying on The Sleuth Kit for security investigations or compliance audits must consider this vulnerability as a potential risk to their investigative processes and data integrity. The remediation strategy requires immediate upgrading to patched versions of The Sleuth Kit where the bounds checking has been properly implemented to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in forensic tools that process potentially malicious data. The flaw represents a significant security gap in filesystem analysis libraries that are widely used across the security industry for digital investigations and incident response activities. The out-of-bounds read condition could be exploited in scenarios where forensic tools encounter corrupted or tampered filesystem structures, potentially compromising the integrity of investigations and exposing sensitive information that should remain protected during forensic analysis operations.