CVE-2019-14745 in radare2
Summary
by MITRE
In radare2 before 3.7.0, a command injection vulnerability exists in bin_symbols() in libr/core/cbin.c. By using a crafted executable file, it's possible to execute arbitrary shell commands with the permissions of the victim. This vulnerability is due to improper handling of symbol names embedded in executables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14745 represents a critical command injection flaw within the radare2 reverse engineering framework affecting versions prior to 3.7.0. This security weakness resides in the bin_symbols() function located within the libr/core/cbin.c source file, where the software fails to properly sanitize symbol names extracted from executable files during binary analysis operations. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious executable files that, when processed by radare2, trigger unintended shell command execution within the context of the application's running user permissions. This command injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of symbol metadata that is typically embedded within binary executables, particularly affecting the parsing and handling of symbol table entries during the binary analysis phase.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when radare2 processes a specially crafted executable file containing maliciously formatted symbol names that contain shell command injection sequences. During the binary analysis process, the software's bin_symbols() function parses symbol table entries without proper sanitization, allowing attacker-controlled input to be interpreted as shell commands rather than mere metadata. This improper handling of symbol names creates a direct path for arbitrary code execution, where the victim's privileges determine the scope of the executed commands. The vulnerability manifests specifically during the symbol processing phase of binary analysis, making it particularly dangerous for security researchers and analysts who routinely process untrusted binary files. This flaw aligns with CWE-78, which classifies improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and demonstrates how seemingly benign metadata processing can become a vector for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-14745 extends beyond simple command execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of radare2's binary analysis capabilities. Security professionals using radare2 for malware analysis, vulnerability research, or forensic investigations become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks when processing maliciously crafted binaries. The vulnerability affects any system where radare2 is installed and used for binary analysis, particularly impacting organizations that rely on this tool for security research and penetration testing activities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access through the execution of malicious commands with the privileges of the radare2 process. The vulnerability is especially concerning in environments where analysts regularly process unknown or untrusted binary files, as it transforms routine analysis activities into potential attack vectors. This flaw also impacts the broader security ecosystem by potentially compromising the integrity of security research conducted using radare2, as malicious binaries could be used to compromise analyst systems during routine analysis operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14745 primarily focus on upgrading to radare2 version 3.7.0 or later, where the command injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and validation of symbol names. Organizations should implement strict binary analysis protocols that include automated scanning for malicious content before processing with radare2, as well as maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify known malicious binaries. System administrators should consider running radare2 with reduced privileges and implementing additional sandboxing measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to prevent unauthorized users from executing radare2 against untrusted binary files. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts, and implement regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in version 3.7.0 demonstrates proper input validation techniques that align with established security practices and ATT&CK framework mitigation strategies for command injection vulnerabilities, ensuring that symbol metadata is properly sanitized before processing.