CVE-2018-13606 in ARChain
Summary
by MITRE
The mintToken function of a smart contract implementation for ARChain, 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 • 02/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13606 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the mintToken function of ARChain smart contract implementation on the Ethereum blockchain. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling within the token minting mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that directly impacts the contract's integrity and user asset security. The flaw allows the contract owner to manipulate user balances arbitrarily, fundamentally compromising the trustless nature of blockchain-based token systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the mintToken function's handling of integer arithmetic operations without proper overflow checks. When the contract attempts to increment user balances through token minting, the underlying code fails to validate that the resulting value remains within the acceptable range for the data type being used. This creates a condition where the arithmetic operation can wrap around to an unintended value, enabling the contract owner to set any user's balance to an arbitrary amount. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which classifies this as a fundamental arithmetic error in software development that can lead to severe security implications in blockchain environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple financial manipulation to encompass potential system-wide compromise of the token ecosystem. An attacker with owner privileges can manipulate user balances to create infinite token supply, drain accounts, or establish artificial market conditions that undermine the token's value and utility. This flaw directly violates the core principles of blockchain security by allowing privileged account manipulation of the state, potentially leading to complete loss of user funds and contract functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation creates a persistent threat that remains active until the underlying code is patched, affecting all users who hold ARChain tokens and potentially compromising the entire token distribution mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13606 require immediate implementation of proper integer overflow protections within the smart contract code, including the use of safe math libraries and explicit bounds checking for all arithmetic operations. The contract owner must implement comprehensive input validation and utilize modern secure coding practices such as those recommended by the OpenZeppelin security guidelines. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough code audits and formal verification processes before deployment, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's approach to smart contract security. Regular security assessments and the implementation of access control mechanisms that limit privileged actions are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future smart contract implementations. The remediation process should also include a comprehensive audit of all arithmetic operations within the contract to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist, as integer overflows often occur in multiple locations within complex smart contract systems.