CVE-2018-16665 in Contiki-NG
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Contiki-NG through 4.1. There is a buffer overflow while parsing AQL in lvm_shift_for_operator in os/storage/antelope/lvm.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16665 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Contiki-NG operating system version 4.1 and earlier. This issue manifests specifically within the lvm_shift_for_operator function located in the os/storage/antelope/lvm.c file, which is part of the Antelope database implementation used in Contiki-NG. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of AQL queries, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by malformed input data that the system processes during normal operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of AQL syntax within the Lightweight Virtual Machine component of Contiki-NG. When the lvm_shift_for_operator function processes incoming AQL queries, it fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a well-known and extensively documented class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have been exploited in numerous security incidents across various platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within the Contiki-NG ecosystem, particularly affecting Internet of Things devices and embedded systems that rely on this lightweight operating system for networked applications. Given that Contiki-NG is designed for resource-constrained environments and supports various wireless networking protocols, exploitation of this buffer overflow could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over IoT devices, potentially compromising entire sensor networks or communication infrastructures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could allow for arbitrary code execution and subsequent lateral movement within affected networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16665 should prioritize immediate patching of Contiki-NG installations to version 4.2 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement input validation measures that enforce strict limits on AQL query lengths and sanitize all user-provided data before processing. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for developers working with Contiki-NG systems should emphasize secure coding practices, particularly around buffer management and input validation. The fix implemented in newer versions demonstrates proper memory management techniques that align with industry best practices for preventing buffer overflow conditions, making it essential for organizations to upgrade their systems to maintain security posture against this and similar vulnerabilities.