CVE-2018-13071 in CCindex10
Summary
by MITRE
The mintToken function of a smart contract implementation for CCindex10 (T10), 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-2018-13071 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the mintToken function of the CCindex10 (T10) Ethereum token smart contract implementation. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling within the contract's codebase, creating a scenario where the contract owner can manipulate user balances arbitrarily. The issue manifests when the mintToken function processes token minting operations without adequate overflow checks, allowing malicious actors with owner privileges to exploit the contract's mathematical operations and manipulate account balances beyond normal constraints.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of integer arithmetic within the smart contract's mintToken function. When the contract performs mathematical operations on token amounts, the lack of proper overflow detection mechanisms allows for values to wrap around to unexpected states. This integer overflow condition, classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, enables an attacker to calculate specific values that will cause the balance calculation to produce unintended results. The contract owner can leverage this weakness by carefully crafting input parameters that will trigger the overflow, effectively allowing them to set any user's balance to an arbitrary value, potentially including negative balances or extremely large values that exceed normal token supply limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple balance manipulation to encompass potential financial loss and contract integrity compromise. An attacker with owner privileges can systematically drain funds from other users by setting their balances to zero or manipulate the token distribution to favor specific accounts. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental trust in the token's accounting system and can lead to complete loss of funds for affected users. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only the contract owner's private key, making it a critical issue for token holders and investors who rely on the security of the underlying smart contract infrastructure. The vulnerability also impacts the token's governance model, as it allows for unauthorized redistribution of tokens that should remain under normal supply constraints.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13071 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements in smart contract development practices. The primary fix involves implementing proper integer overflow checks within the mintToken function and all arithmetic operations, utilizing modern Solidity versions that include built-in overflow protection or explicit require statements to validate input parameters. Security best practices recommend implementing comprehensive input validation, utilizing SafeMath libraries for arithmetic operations, and conducting thorough code audits before deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-signature ownership models and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future contract implementations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials, as it exploits the legitimate owner privileges to perform unauthorized actions. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the SEC's guidelines for smart contract security, emphasizing that proper input validation and arithmetic handling are fundamental requirements for blockchain-based financial systems.