CVE-2018-17854 in SIMDComp
Summary
by MITRE
SIMDComp before 0.1.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) because it can read (and then discard) extra bytes. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2018-17427.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17854 affects the SIMDComp library version 0.1.1 and earlier, representing a heap-based buffer over-read condition that can be exploited remotely to cause denial of service. This issue stems from an incomplete remediation of a previous vulnerability, CVE-2018-17427, which demonstrates how remediation efforts can sometimes introduce new attack vectors when not thoroughly validated. The core problem manifests when the library processes compressed data streams, specifically reading additional bytes beyond the expected buffer boundaries before discarding them. This behavior creates a potential for heap memory corruption that can be triggered by maliciously crafted input data, leading to application instability and potential crashes.
The technical flaw resides in the library's decompression routine where it fails to properly validate input data boundaries during the decompression process. When processing compressed data, the SIMDComp library attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer space to accommodate certain compression algorithms, but this over-read operation occurs without adequate bounds checking. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an "Out-of-bounds Read" and falls within the broader category of memory safety issues that are particularly dangerous in cryptographic and compression libraries due to their widespread use in network protocols and data processing pipelines. The flaw operates at the heap memory level, making it particularly concerning as heap corruption can lead to unpredictable application behavior and potential exploitation for more severe attacks.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that rely on SIMDComp for data compression, particularly in network services, database systems, and any application processing compressed data from untrusted sources. Remote attackers can craft malicious compressed data streams that trigger the buffer over-read condition, causing applications to crash or become unresponsive. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the heap corruption could potentially be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or if the application continues to process corrupted memory. The vulnerability affects both client and server applications that utilize SIMDComp, making it particularly dangerous in environments where compressed data flows through multiple system components. The incomplete fix for CVE-2018-17427 suggests that security researchers and developers may have overlooked critical edge cases in their initial remediation approach, highlighting the importance of comprehensive testing and validation in security patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17854 should prioritize updating to SIMDComp version 0.1.1 or later, which contains the complete fix for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures for any data processed through SIMDComp libraries, particularly when handling external or untrusted data streams. Network segmentation and application firewalls can help limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts by restricting access to vulnerable services. Additionally, implementing memory safety monitoring tools and regular security audits of compression libraries can help detect similar issues before they can be exploited. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of complete remediation efforts and the need for thorough regression testing when addressing security vulnerabilities, as partial fixes can leave systems exposed to new attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual patterns of memory access that might indicate exploitation attempts against similar buffer overflow conditions.