CVE-2018-25367 in openVSP
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2026
NASA openVSP 3.16.1 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying an excessively long string in the geometry name field. Attackers can trigger a denial of service by pasting a 5000-byte payload into the name input field within the Geom browser pod addition interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2026
The vulnerability in NASA openVSP 3.16.1 represents a critical buffer overflow condition that fundamentally compromises the application's memory management integrity. This issue manifests within the geometry name field processing mechanism where the software fails to properly validate input length constraints before attempting to store user-provided data. The specific flaw occurs in the Geom browser pod addition interface where the application allocates a fixed-size buffer without adequate bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors. The vulnerability is classified as a classic buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory corruption through excessive data input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to represent a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the cybersecurity landscape. When attackers supply a 5000-byte payload into the name input field, the application's memory management system becomes overwhelmed, leading to immediate application crash and denial of service conditions. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks through application crashes. The vulnerability's local attack vector means that exploitation requires physical or remote access to the target system, but the low barrier to entry makes it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative privileges may be accessible. The application's failure to implement proper input sanitization and length validation creates a direct pathway for memory corruption that can potentially be extended to more advanced exploitation techniques.
The technical flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of defensive programming practices within the openVSP codebase, specifically missing input validation and buffer size enforcement mechanisms. The software's inability to handle input exceeding predetermined limits indicates inadequate error handling and memory allocation protocols that are standard requirements in secure software development practices. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of the geometry browser module where user-defined names are processed and stored, making it a critical component of the application's security posture. The specific buffer size constraints that trigger the overflow suggest that the developers may have underestimated the potential for user input variation or failed to implement proper defensive measures against malicious data injection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through simple paste operations, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future releases. The most direct solution involves implementing proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms that enforce maximum string length limitations for geometry name fields. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure coding practices. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting and input sanitization measures as immediate protective measures while more comprehensive patches are deployed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar issues within the application's codebase. Organizations utilizing openVSP should establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent unauthorized access to critical modeling environments. The incident underscores the necessity of implementing proper memory safety mechanisms and defensive programming techniques to prevent buffer overflow vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.