CVE-2018-3972 in Epee Library
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the Levin deserialization functionality of the Epee library, as used in Monero 'Lithium Luna' (v0.12.2.0-master-ffab6700) and other cryptocurrencies. A specially crafted network packet can cause a logic flaw, resulting in code execution. An attacker can send a packet to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3972 represents a critical code execution flaw within the Epee library's Levin deserialization mechanism, which serves as a core communication protocol in the Monero cryptocurrency implementation known as 'Lithium Luna' version 0.12.2.0-master-ffab6700. This vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where the Epee library handles incoming network packets through its Levin serialization framework, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The flaw manifests specifically during the deserialization process when the system attempts to parse and reconstruct data structures from network packets, creating a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted input can manipulate the program flow beyond its intended boundaries.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper bounds checking within the Epee library's deserialization routines. When processing network packets containing serialized data structures, the system fails to properly validate the structure and content of incoming data, allowing attackers to craft packets that exploit memory layout assumptions. This leads to a logic flaw that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system, as the deserialization process does not adequately sanitize or verify the integrity of the serialized data before attempting to reconstruct objects in memory. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the program's execution path through carefully constructed packet data that bypasses normal validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network communication issues, as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on systems running affected versions of Monero or other cryptocurrencies utilizing the vulnerable Epee library. This means that an attacker could potentially take control of nodes, wallets, or mining operations without requiring local access or authentication credentials. The vulnerability affects the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem that relies on the Epee library for peer-to-peer communication, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited across multiple implementations. The remote nature of the attack means that systems can be compromised from anywhere on the internet, making it difficult to defend against and trace back to the source.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1105 for remote file execution, as the successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly exploited in network-based attacks, particularly in protocols that handle complex serialized data structures. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it occurs in a core communication library that is fundamental to cryptocurrency operations, making it a critical target for threat actors seeking to compromise cryptocurrency infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3972 require immediate patching of affected systems to update the Epee library to versions that implement proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious packet patterns and potentially malicious deserialization attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of cryptocurrency nodes to untrusted networks. Regular security audits of cryptographic implementations and communication protocols should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves implementing robust validation checks during the deserialization process and ensuring that all input data is properly sanitized before processing, preventing the logic flaws that enable arbitrary code execution through crafted network packets.