CVE-2018-14017 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
The r_bin_java_annotation_new function in shlr/java/class.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 .class file because of missing input validation in r_bin_java_line_number_table_attr_new.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-14017 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition within the radare2 reverse engineering framework version 2.7.0. This flaw exists in the r_bin_java_annotation_new function located in the shlr/java/class.c source file, where the software fails to properly validate input data when processing java class files. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the parsing of java class files through the r_bin_java_line_number_table_attr_new function, which lacks adequate input validation mechanisms to prevent maliciously crafted data from causing memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker submits a specially crafted .class file to a system running radare2 2.7.0. The application processes this malformed input without proper boundary checking, leading to a buffer over-read condition where the program attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption results in an application crash and subsequent denial of service, effectively rendering the reverse engineering tool unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the line number table attributes within java class files, which are processed without proper size verification or bounds checking.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to security researchers, malware analysts, and reverse engineers who rely on radare2 for software analysis. The denial of service condition can be exploited remotely, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated analysis systems process untrusted java class files. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt analysis workflows, potentially preventing the identification of malware or security threats. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be used to prevent legitimate security research activities from completing successfully, thereby undermining the integrity of security analysis operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. This weakness is commonly exploited in binary exploitation scenarios and represents a fundamental flaw in input validation practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the "Execution" phase, as it enables adversaries to disrupt system availability and can be used as part of broader attack chains targeting security analysis capabilities. Organizations using radare2 for security research should consider this vulnerability as a potential vector for service disruption attacks, particularly in environments where automated analysis systems process untrusted input files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14017 primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of radare2 where proper input validation has been implemented for java class file processing. System administrators should immediately update their radare2 installations to versions that address this vulnerability and implement proper input sanitization for any java class file processing workflows. Additional protective measures include deploying network segmentation to limit access to systems running radare2, implementing file type validation for uploaded java class files, and monitoring for unusual application crashes or denial of service events. Security teams should also consider implementing automated testing procedures that validate java class file parsing against known vulnerable patterns to prevent exploitation in production environments.