CVE-2019-15767 in Chess
Summary
by MITRE
In GNU Chess 6.2.5, there is a stack-based buffer overflow in the cmd_load function in frontend/cmd.cc via a crafted chess position in an EPD file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-15767 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within GNU Chess version 6.2.5 that manifests during the processing of chess position data contained in EPD files. This issue resides specifically within the cmd_load function located in the frontend/cmd.cc source file, making it a direct consequence of improper input validation and memory management practices. The vulnerability exploits the software's failure to properly bounds-check data when parsing chess positions, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered by maliciously crafted EPD file content.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from a classic buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-121, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the allocated bounds of a stack-based buffer. In this case, the cmd_load function processes EPD (Extended Position Description) file data without adequate validation of the input size or structure, allowing an attacker to supply oversized or malformed chess position data that overflows the designated buffer space. The stack-based nature of this vulnerability means that the overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function parameters, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-15767 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted EPD files. An attacker could craft a malicious EPD file containing specially formatted position data that, when loaded by GNU Chess, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability affects the chess engine's frontend processing capabilities and could be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms where EPD files might be encountered. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious files to gain code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of GNU Chess to version 6.2.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate input data and prevent buffer overflow conditions. Additionally, users should implement strict input validation policies for EPD file processing, employ sandboxing techniques when handling untrusted chess position data, and consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking and input validation in security-critical applications, particularly those handling structured data formats like EPD files that are commonly used in chess engines and analysis tools. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for chess engine applications and regularly audit their software for similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of their chess analysis infrastructure.