CVE-2019-12410 in Arrow
Summary
by MITRE
While investigating UBSAN errors in https://github.com/apache/arrow/pull/5365 it was discovered Apache Arrow versions 0.12.0 to 0.14.1, left memory Array data uninitialized when reading RLE null data from parquet. This affected the C++, Python, Ruby and R implementations. The uninitialized memory could potentially be shared if are transmitted over the wire (for instance with Flight) or persisted in the streaming IPC and file formats.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2019-12410 represents a critical memory safety issue within Apache Arrow versions 0.12.0 through 0.14.1 that affects multiple programming language implementations including C++, Python, Ruby, and R. This flaw manifests during the processing of RLE null data from parquet files, where the system fails to properly initialize memory arrays before use. The issue was initially uncovered during UBSAN (Undefined Behavior Sanitizer) error investigations related to the Apache Arrow project's pull request #5365, highlighting the importance of rigorous memory management practices in data processing frameworks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of uninitialized memory allocation when reading specific null data patterns from parquet format files, creating potential security risks through information leakage and system instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the memory management practices within Apache Arrow's parquet reading functionality. When processing RLE (Run Length Encoding) null data, the system allocates memory arrays without properly initializing their contents, leaving sensitive data from previous operations potentially accessible. This uninitialized memory exposure occurs specifically in the data deserialization process where null bitmaps and array structures are constructed from parquet file formats. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, where variables are used without proper initialization, potentially exposing memory contents that were previously allocated for other purposes. The issue affects both streaming IPC (Inter-Process Communication) formats and file-based storage mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it could persist across different data processing contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-12410 extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable information disclosure and system compromise. When data is transmitted over the wire using Apache Arrow Flight protocol or persisted in streaming IPC formats, the uninitialized memory segments could contain sensitive information from previous operations, including cryptographic keys, user data, or system credentials. This vulnerability creates an attack surface where malicious actors could potentially exploit the uninitialized memory to reconstruct sensitive data, particularly in environments where multiple data processing operations occur sequentially. The risk is amplified because the affected versions span multiple language implementations, meaning that applications using any of these interfaces could be vulnerable. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005: Data from Local System, as it could potentially expose data that was previously stored in memory locations that were not properly cleared.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12410 require immediate version updates to Apache Arrow 0.14.2 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper memory initialization. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all systems using Apache Arrow components are updated promptly. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that might be processing parquet data through affected versions, particularly in environments using Apache Arrow Flight for data transmission. Implementing memory sanitization tools and regular code reviews focusing on memory initialization practices can help prevent similar issues in the future. The fix addresses the core memory management issue by ensuring that all allocated arrays are properly initialized before being populated with data from parquet null bitmaps, thereby eliminating the potential for information leakage through uninitialized memory segments.