CVE-2018-20460 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
In radare2 prior to 3.1.2, the parseOperands function in libr/asm/arch/arm/armass64.c allows attackers to cause a denial-of-service (application crash caused by stack-based buffer overflow) by crafting an input file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20460 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the radare2 reverse engineering framework version 3.1.1 and earlier. This issue resides in the parseOperands function located within the file libr/asm/arch/arm/armass64.c, which is responsible for processing ARM64 assembly instructions during the disassembly and analysis phases. The flaw manifests when the software processes malformed input files containing specially crafted ARM64 assembly operands, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory regions. The vulnerability operates through a classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking allows data to exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to unpredictable memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear path to denial-of-service conditions where the targeted application crashes due to memory corruption. When an attacker provides a malformed input file containing crafted ARM64 assembly instructions, the parseOperands function fails to properly validate operand lengths and buffer boundaries. This results in stack memory corruption that ultimately causes the application to terminate abruptly, preventing legitimate users from performing analysis tasks. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in input validation and memory management practices within the ARM64 assembly parser component.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-20460 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially compromise the entire reverse engineering workflow for analysts and security researchers using radare2. System administrators and security professionals who rely on radare2 for malware analysis, binary exploitation research, or software security assessment face significant operational risks when encountering untrusted input files. The vulnerability can be exploited in automated environments where the software processes multiple input files, potentially leading to system-wide service degradation or complete application failure. Attackers could leverage this flaw to disrupt security analysis operations, particularly in environments where automated scanning tools process unknown binary files. The impact is particularly concerning given radare2's widespread use in cybersecurity research and penetration testing operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20460 require immediate implementation of software updates to radare2 version 3.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures that filter or sanitize all external input files before processing them through the affected parsing functions. Security teams should establish robust testing procedures that include fuzzing against the ARM64 parser to identify similar vulnerabilities in other code sections. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and buffer size validation within the parseOperands function to prevent data overflow conditions. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application sandboxing or containment measures to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial-of-service attacks, making it a significant concern for defensive security operations.