CVE-2018-13326 in Bittelux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
The transfer and transferFrom functions of a smart contract implementation for Bittelux (BTX), an Ethereum token, have an integer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-13326 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Bittelux (BTX) Ethereum token smart contract implementation. This security weakness specifically affects the transfer and transferFrom functions, which are fundamental operations for token movement and management within the Ethereum ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic operation handling within the smart contract code, creating a scenario where mathematical operations can exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the data type used.
The technical flaw manifests when the transfer functions process token amounts that, when added or subtracted, exceed the maximum value permitted by the underlying integer data type. In Ethereum smart contracts, this typically occurs with fixed-size integer types such as uint256 or uint128 where arithmetic operations can wrap around to zero or negative values when overflow conditions occur. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the token balances by exploiting this overflow condition, potentially enabling unauthorized transfers of tokens or creation of artificial token supply through carefully crafted transaction parameters.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to token holders and the overall integrity of the Bittelux ecosystem. An attacker could exploit the integer overflow to transfer more tokens than they actually possess, effectively creating a form of digital theft or manipulation of the token economy. The impact extends beyond individual account manipulation to potentially destabilizing the entire token economy by allowing artificial inflation of token supply or manipulation of token distribution mechanisms. This type of vulnerability directly violates the fundamental principles of blockchain security and trustless transactions that Ethereum smart contracts are designed to provide.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions in software systems. This classification reflects the core nature of the flaw as a mathematical boundary condition that is not properly handled within the smart contract logic. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve crafting specific transaction parameters that trigger the overflow condition. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Ethereum smart contracts operate with immutable code once deployed, making remediation difficult without a complete contract replacement.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through contract upgrades or complete redeployment of the Bittelux token implementation. The recommended approach involves implementing proper bounds checking and validation before arithmetic operations, utilizing safe math libraries that automatically detect and prevent overflow conditions, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all smart contract functions. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices such as using require statements to validate input parameters and implementing proper error handling mechanisms. The fix must ensure that all integer operations within transfer functions include overflow protection, typically through the use of libraries like OpenZeppelin's SafeMath or similar implementations that provide automatic overflow detection and prevention mechanisms.