CVE-2018-16392 in OpenSC
Summary
by MITRE
Several buffer overflows when handling responses from a TCOS Card in tcos_select_file in libopensc/card-tcos.c in OpenSC before 0.19.0-rc1 could be used by attackers able to supply crafted smartcards to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16392 represents a critical buffer overflow issue within the OpenSC smart card library that affects the tcos_select_file function in the libopensc/card-tcos.c component. This flaw exists in OpenSC versions prior to 0.19.0-rc1 and demonstrates a classic security weakness that can be exploited through crafted smartcard responses to manipulate memory operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the TCOS (Trust Card Operating System) card handling functionality, which is a widely used smart card platform for secure authentication and data storage applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer size checking within the tcos_select_file function. When processing responses from TCOS cards, the code fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This primitive buffer overflow condition allows attackers with physical access to supply maliciously crafted smartcards that can trigger memory corruption. The flaw operates at the application layer where smart card communication occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through direct hardware interaction without requiring network access or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe security consequences. While the primary effect manifests as application crashes and system instability, the buffer overflow nature suggests potential for arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation in certain scenarios. The vulnerability affects smart card applications that rely on OpenSC for secure card operations, including authentication systems, digital signature applications, and secure credential management platforms. Attackers could leverage this weakness to disrupt critical security infrastructure or potentially gain unauthorized access to protected systems where smart card authentication is implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16392 focus primarily on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should upgrade to OpenSC version 0.19.0-rc1 or later, which includes proper buffer size validation and input sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement proper smart card access controls and monitor for unauthorized physical access to card readers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems utilizing OpenSC and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts through abnormal smart card communication patterns or application crashes.