CVE-2018-13113 in Easy Trading Token
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
The transfer and transferFrom functions of a smart contract implementation for Easy Trading Token (ETT), an Ethereum token, have an integer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13113 affects the Easy Trading Token (ETT) smart contract implementation on the Ethereum blockchain, specifically targeting the transfer and transferFrom functions. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the smart contract code. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the absence of proper overflow checks during token transfers, potentially leading to unauthorized token manipulation and financial loss for users. The affected functions operate on Ethereum's blockchain environment where all transactions are publicly visible and immutable once confirmed, making such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous as they can be exploited without detection for extended periods.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of integer overflow conditions within the smart contract's core transfer mechanisms. When the transfer and transferFrom functions process token amounts, they fail to validate whether the arithmetic operations would result in integer overflow conditions. This flaw aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow vulnerabilities in software systems. The absence of proper bounds checking means that when users attempt to transfer large quantities of tokens, the system can wrap around to unexpected values, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate balances and perform unauthorized transactions. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it operates at the fundamental level of arithmetic operations within the smart contract, affecting the integrity of the entire token ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple financial loss to encompass broader security implications for the Ethereum token ecosystem. Attackers can exploit the integer overflow to create artificial token balances, potentially enabling them to withdraw more tokens than they legitimately own or to manipulate the token supply. This type of vulnerability can lead to significant financial damage for token holders and the broader community that relies on the integrity of the smart contract. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core functionality that every user interacts with during token transfers, making the exploitation relatively straightforward and potentially widespread. The vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of thorough code auditing and testing for smart contracts, as these systems operate in a trustless environment where vulnerabilities cannot be easily patched once deployed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from both developers and users within the Ethereum ecosystem. Smart contract developers must implement comprehensive input validation and arithmetic operation checks, particularly for functions that handle token transfers and balance modifications. The implementation should include explicit overflow and underflow checks using modern Solidity practices such as the SafeMath library or compiler versions that include built-in overflow protection. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of existing smart contracts and implement continuous monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. From an operational standpoint, users should avoid interacting with affected contracts until proper patches are implemented and verified by security experts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to established security frameworks and standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) for smart contract development and the ATT&CK framework for understanding potential attack vectors in blockchain environments.