CVE-2018-18987 in VT-Designer
Summary
by MITRE
VT-Designer Version 2.1.7.31 is vulnerable by the program populating objects with user supplied input via a file without first checking for validity, allowing attacker supplied input to be written to known memory locations. This may cause the program to crash or allow remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18987 affects VT-Designer version 2.1.7.31, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper input validation during file processing operations. This weakness manifests when the application accepts user-supplied data through file imports without implementing adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw exists within the program's object population logic where external input is directly written to memory locations without prior verification of its legitimacy or safety. Such a design oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-707, which addresses improper neutralization of dangerous input, and specifically relates to CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The absence of input validation allows attackers to supply malicious data that gets processed and written to predetermined memory locations within the application's address space. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can potentially inject code that executes within the application's context. The vulnerability's exploitation potential stems from the fact that the program does not perform bounds checking or input sanitization before writing data to memory, creating opportunities for both denial of service and remote code execution scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18987 extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides adversaries with the capability to compromise entire systems through remote code execution. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can cause the application to crash or more critically, execute arbitrary code within the context of the application's privileges. This represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on VT-Designer for critical operations, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or establish persistent footholds within network environments. The memory corruption aspect of the flaw means that attackers can potentially overwrite critical program variables or function pointers, leading to unpredictable behavior and further exploitation opportunities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18987 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that include sanitization of all external file inputs and verification of data integrity before processing. The implementation of secure coding practices such as bounds checking, memory allocation validation, and proper error handling should be enforced throughout the application's codebase. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of exploitation, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of adhering to secure software development lifecycle practices and implementing automated code review processes to prevent similar issues from arising in future versions.