CVE-2018-13068 in AzurionToken
Summary
by MITRE
The mintToken function of a smart contract implementation for AzurionToken (AZU), an Ethereum token, has an integer overflow that allows the owner of the contract to set the balance of an arbitrary user to any value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-13068 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the mintToken function of the AzurionToken (AZU) smart contract deployed on the Ethereum blockchain. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic operations that fail to account for the maximum limits of integer data types. The flaw allows the contract owner to manipulate token balances in ways that could potentially lead to unauthorized minting of tokens or manipulation of user account balances. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and security of the token economy by enabling the contract owner to set arbitrary balances for any user address within the system. The integer overflow occurs when the mintToken function performs arithmetic operations without proper boundary checks, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the contract's logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in the mintToken function where the contract owner can manipulate the token supply by setting user balances to arbitrary values. This flaw typically arises from using unsigned integer types that can wrap around when exceeding their maximum value, allowing attackers to perform operations that result in unexpected behavior. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-190 - Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which represents a well-documented weakness in software development practices where integer arithmetic operations do not properly handle overflow conditions. In the context of smart contracts, this vulnerability can be exploited through direct function calls to the mintToken method, enabling the owner to manipulate balances beyond normal operational limits and potentially create unlimited token supply.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple balance manipulation to encompass broader security implications for the AzurionToken ecosystem. An attacker with access to the contract owner account can effectively control the token distribution, potentially creating artificial scarcity or flooding the market with tokens. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental trust in the token's supply mechanism and can lead to significant financial losses for users who hold the tokens. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in immediate financial damage through unauthorized minting of tokens, followed by potential market manipulation activities that could destabilize the token's value. Additionally, the vulnerability creates a persistent risk for the entire token economy as it allows for the creation of infinite token supply, which directly contradicts the principles of scarcity that underpin most cryptocurrency tokenomics.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper integer overflow protection mechanisms within the smart contract code. The primary solution involves implementing comprehensive input validation and boundary checks before any arithmetic operations occur in the mintToken function, ensuring that all integer operations respect the maximum limits of their respective data types. Security measures should include the use of SafeMath libraries or similar arithmetic protection mechanisms that automatically prevent overflow conditions. The contract owner should also implement proper access control mechanisms to restrict the mintToken function to authorized personnel only, while ensuring that all operations are logged and auditable. Additionally, regular security audits and formal verification processes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the smart contract codebase. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1548.001 - Abuse Elevation of Privilege, where the attacker leverages privileged access to manipulate system state through vulnerable functions. The remediation process should also include implementing comprehensive testing procedures including fuzz testing and formal verification to prevent similar issues in future contract deployments.