CVE-2018-12889 in CCN-lite
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in CCN-lite 2.0.1. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in mkAddToRelayCacheRequest and in ccnl_populate_cache for an array lacking '\0' termination when reading a binary CCNx or NDN file. This can result in Heap Corruption. This was addressed by fixing the memory management in mkAddToRelayCacheRequest in ccn-lite-ctrl.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12889 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting CCN-lite version 2.0.1, a software implementation of the Content-Centric Networking (CCN) protocol. This flaw manifests in two primary functions within the ccn-lite-ctrl.c file where the mkAddToRelayCacheRequest and ccnl_populate_cache routines process binary CCNx or NDN files. The root cause lies in improper memory management where arrays are read without ensuring null termination, creating conditions where maliciously crafted binary files can trigger buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of data structures that process content retrieval requests and cache population operations within the CCN protocol implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the software reads binary CCNx or NDN files that lack proper null termination in arrays used for processing content names and caching operations. This memory management flaw allows attackers to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent heap memory regions and enabling arbitrary code execution. The heap corruption can lead to application crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe security implications depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the core protocol processing layer where legitimate content handling operations occur, making it difficult to distinguish between normal operation and malicious input.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability impacts any system running CCN-lite 2.0.1 that processes binary CCNx or NDN content files through the affected functions. The exploitation requires an attacker to craft specific binary files that trigger the buffer overflow during cache population or relay cache request processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection. Organizations using CCN-lite for content-centric networking applications face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through content delivery mechanisms.
The mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched version of CCN-lite where the memory management in mkAddToRelayCacheRequest has been corrected to ensure proper array bounds checking and null termination. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper memory allocation and validation procedures before array operations. Security practitioners should also implement input validation measures to prevent processing of untrusted binary CCNx or NDN files, though the primary solution remains the software update. Additionally, monitoring systems for unusual cache population patterns or relay request processing behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of the patched version to ensure no regression in functionality while maintaining the security improvements. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in network protocol implementations, particularly in systems handling content delivery and caching operations.