CVE-2018-14740 in PBC
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in libpbc.a in cloudwu PBC through 2017-03-02. A SEGV can occur in set_field_one in bootstrap.c while making a query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14740 resides within the libpbc library, specifically in the cloudwu PBC implementation dating back to March 2017. This issue manifests as a segmentation fault occurring in the set_field_one function located within the bootstrap.c file during query execution processes. The libpbc library serves as a cryptographic library implementing pairing-based cryptography, which is commonly utilized in advanced cryptographic protocols and security applications. The vulnerability represents a critical memory access violation that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation scenarios.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of field initialization within the cryptographic library's bootstrap process. When the set_field_one function processes certain query parameters, it fails to properly validate input data or initialize memory structures before attempting operations on potentially invalid field references. This memory management error creates a condition where the application attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly allocated or are otherwise inaccessible. The vulnerability is classified as a memory access violation that can result in a segmentation fault, which is a common indicator of improper memory handling in C-based applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can lead to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. When a segmentation fault occurs during cryptographic operations, it can provide an opportunity for exploitation through memory corruption techniques that leverage the unstable state of the application. The vulnerability affects systems using the cloudwu PBC library version through 2017-03-02, potentially compromising any application that relies on pairing-based cryptographic operations. Attackers could potentially craft malicious queries that trigger this condition, leading to system instability, data loss, or even privilege escalation depending on the execution context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where cryptographic operations are critical for security, such as secure communications, digital signatures, or identity management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14740 should prioritize immediate library updates to versions that address the memory handling issues in bootstrap.c. System administrators should implement patch management protocols to ensure all instances of the affected library are updated promptly. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened at query processing layers to prevent malformed parameters from reaching the vulnerable function. Monitoring and logging of cryptographic operations can help detect exploitation attempts, while runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries may provide additional defense in depth. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors targeting cryptographic services. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, suggests that exploitation could involve crafting specific query inputs that trigger the memory corruption, making input sanitization and validation critical defensive measures.