CVE-2018-13190 in DVChain
Summary
by MITRE
The mintToken function of a smart contract implementation for DVChain, 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2020
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-13190 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the mintToken function of DVChain smart contract implementation on the Ethereum blockchain. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic handling within the contract's code, creating a pathway for unauthorized manipulation of token balances. The flaw specifically affects the contract's ability to properly manage numeric values during token minting operations, allowing malicious actors to exploit the overflow condition to manipulate user balances arbitrarily.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which defines integer overflow conditions that occur when an arithmetic operation attempts to create a result that exceeds the maximum value representable within the allocated storage space. In the context of Ethereum smart contracts, this manifests when the mintToken function processes token minting requests without proper bounds checking on the values being added to user balances. The overflow occurs during the addition operation where the result exceeds the maximum value that can be stored in the designated data type, typically resulting in a wraparound to a much smaller value.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to the integrity of the DVChain token ecosystem and the trust of its users. The contract owner can exploit this flaw to manipulate any user's token balance to arbitrary values, potentially enabling theft of tokens, creation of artificial supply, or manipulation of tokenomics. This capability directly violates fundamental principles of blockchain security and decentralization, as it allows a single privileged entity to override the immutable nature of the blockchain's state. The impact extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially destabilize the entire token economy and undermine confidence in the platform.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, where adversaries manipulate contract functions to achieve unauthorized outcomes. The attacker would need to identify the specific conditions under which the integer overflow occurs and craft inputs that trigger the overflow to achieve desired balance manipulation. Mitigation strategies should include implementing comprehensive input validation, utilizing safe arithmetic libraries such as OpenZeppelin's SafeMath, and conducting thorough code audits to identify similar patterns across all contract functions. Additionally, the implementation of proper access controls and regular security assessments would help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future contract deployments.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to the Ethereum smart contract development ecosystem, highlighting the critical importance of rigorous security practices and adherence to established security frameworks. This flaw demonstrates the necessity of comprehensive testing including edge case scenarios and formal verification methods to prevent similar issues. Organizations developing blockchain applications must prioritize security from the initial design phase, implementing defensive programming practices and leveraging established security libraries to protect against common vulnerabilities that could compromise the entire system's integrity and user trust.