CVE-2018-14447 in libConfuse
Summary
by MITRE
trim_whitespace in lexer.l in libConfuse v3.2.1 has an out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14447 affects libConfuse version 3.2.1, specifically within the trim_whitespace function located in lexer.l. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read flaw that can be exploited to potentially disrupt application functionality or enable further attack vectors. The vulnerability resides in the lexical analysis component of the configuration parsing library, which is commonly used in various software applications for processing configuration files and command-line arguments.
The technical flaw manifests when the trim_whitespace function processes input data without proper bounds checking on array access operations. This function is responsible for removing whitespace characters from configuration values during parsing, but fails to validate the boundaries of memory accesses when handling certain input patterns. The out-of-bounds read occurs when the function attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer, potentially reading from uninitialized memory or memory belonging to other variables within the same process. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and is categorized as a memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior or information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable attackers to extract sensitive information from memory or cause application crashes that might be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks. When applications using libConfuse encounter malformed configuration data, the out-of-bounds read could trigger undefined behavior that might be exploited to gain information about memory layout or even execute arbitrary code under certain conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used configuration parsing library that could be present in numerous applications across different systems and platforms, making the potential attack surface quite extensive.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected libConfuse versions to the latest stable releases that contain the necessary bounds checking fixes. System administrators and developers should also implement input validation measures at the application level to sanitize configuration data before it reaches the vulnerable library functions. Additionally, employing memory safety techniques such as address sanitizer tools and static code analysis can help identify similar issues in other components of the software stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1068, which deals with Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as memory corruption vulnerabilities can often be leveraged to escalate privileges or execute unauthorized code within the target system environment. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this and similar vulnerabilities.