CVE-2018-8015 in ORC
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache ORC 1.0.0 to 1.4.3 a malformed ORC file can trigger an endlessly recursive function call in the C++ or Java parser. The impact of this bug is most likely denial-of-service against software that uses the ORC file parser. With the C++ parser, the stack overflow might possibly corrupt the stack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8015 represents a critical recursive function call flaw within Apache ORC file parsers that affects versions 1.0.0 through 1.4.3. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the parser implementation, allowing maliciously crafted ORC files to trigger infinite recursion during file processing. The vulnerability manifests when the parser encounters malformed ORC data structures that contain self-referential or cyclic references, causing the parsing logic to repeatedly invoke itself without proper termination conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of ORC file metadata structures that contain recursive references or malformed data patterns. When the C++ parser processes such files, it follows the recursive data structures without proper stack depth monitoring or recursion limit enforcement, leading to stack overflow conditions. The Java parser exhibits similar behavior through its recursive parsing algorithms, though the impact may be less severe due to Java's garbage collection and stack management mechanisms. This recursive behavior is classified under CWE-674, which specifically addresses the issue of uncontrolled recursion leading to stack overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.100 related to resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8015 extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions, as it can potentially lead to system instability and application crashes. When the C++ parser experiences stack overflow, the corruption of stack memory can result in unpredictable application behavior, including memory corruption that may be exploitable for more sophisticated attacks. Software systems that rely on ORC file parsing for data ingestion, particularly in big data environments and analytics platforms, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability affects any application or service that processes ORC files without proper input sanitization, including Hadoop ecosystems, data warehousing solutions, and analytics platforms that utilize Apache ORC for efficient data storage and retrieval.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8015 require immediate implementation of input validation and recursion depth limiting measures within ORC parsers. Organizations should upgrade to Apache ORC versions 1.5.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced input validation and recursion depth monitoring. System administrators should implement proper file validation procedures that scan ORC files for malformed structures before processing, particularly in environments where untrusted data sources exist. Network-level protections can include implementing file type validation and content filtering mechanisms that prevent malformed ORC files from reaching vulnerable parsers. Additionally, runtime protections such as stack overflow detection and process isolation can help contain the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of ORC file processing workflows to ensure that existing parsers properly handle edge cases and malformed input without triggering recursive call loops.