CVE-2018-14016 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The r_bin_mdmp_init_directory_entry function in mdmp.c in radare2 2.7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted Mini Crash Dump file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14016 resides within the radare2 reverse engineering framework version 2.7.0, specifically in the r_bin_mdmp_init_directory_entry function located in the mdmp.c source file. This flaw represents a heap-based buffer over-read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers through the careful crafting of Mini Crash Dump files. The issue occurs during the processing of memory dump files, which are commonly used in debugging and forensics to capture the state of a program's memory at the time of a crash. When radare2 attempts to parse such a malformed file, the function fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory allocations, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can result in application instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the memory dump parsing logic. When a crafted Mini Crash Dump file is processed, the r_bin_mdmp_init_directory_entry function does not sufficiently verify the size and structure of directory entries before attempting to read from allocated heap memory regions. This deficiency creates a scenario where the application may attempt to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that manifests as heap-based buffer over-read conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through the processing of maliciously crafted files, making it a significant threat vector for systems that rely on radare2 for analysis of potentially malicious memory dumps.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14016 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can lead to complete application crashes and potential system instability. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to cause arbitrary code execution or system crashes through carefully constructed input files, which can be particularly dangerous in environments where security analysis tools are used to investigate suspicious files. The heap-based nature of the buffer over-read means that the memory corruption can affect other parts of the application's heap memory, potentially leading to more severe consequences including privilege escalation or data corruption. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that affect software security. The attack surface is significant given that radare2 is widely used in security research, malware analysis, and digital forensics, making any vulnerability in its parsing capabilities potentially exploitable in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14016 should focus on immediate patching of the affected radare2 version 2.7.0, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures for all memory dump files processed through radare2, including automated scanning for malformed structures before analysis. Network-based mitigations can include sandboxing of memory dump file processing and implementing file type validation to prevent automatic processing of potentially malicious files. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command-line interfaces and T1068 for privilege escalation through memory corruption highlights the need for comprehensive security controls. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for abnormal application behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments are essential to maintain protection against similar memory safety issues that may exist in other components of the reverse engineering toolchain.