CVE-2019-17533 in matio
Summary
by MITRE
Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 in mat4.c in MATIO 1.5.17 omits a certain '\0' character, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read in strdup_vprintf when uninitialized memory is accessed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17533 resides within the MATIO library version 1.5.17, specifically within the Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 function located in mat4.c. This issue represents a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs when processing MATLAB file format data structures. The flaw manifests when the library fails to properly handle a null character termination during string processing operations, creating a scenario where uninitialized memory regions are accessed through the strdup_vprintf function. The root cause stems from inadequate boundary checking and memory management within the MATLAB file parsing routines, particularly when dealing with version 4 MAT files that contain specific data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits heap-based memory access patterns where the Mat_VarReadNextInfo4 function processes variable information without ensuring proper null termination of strings before passing them to strdup_vprintf. This function call attempts to duplicate a string that contains uninitialized memory regions, leading to a buffer over-read condition. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125: Uninitialized Memory Read, which is categorized as a memory safety issue affecting heap-based buffer operations. The over-read occurs because the function does not validate that the string buffer has been properly initialized before attempting to duplicate it, resulting in access to memory that may contain sensitive data or arbitrary values from previous operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for systems that process MATLAB files, particularly in environments where untrusted input is handled. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from heap memory, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory regions. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including potential code execution scenarios when combined with other memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, when considering the potential for exploitation in environments where MATLAB files are processed through Python interfaces, or T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation when the application has elevated privileges.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17533 primarily focus on immediate remediation through library updates, as the issue has been resolved in subsequent versions of MATIO. Organizations should prioritize updating to MATIO version 1.5.18 or later, which implements proper null termination checks and boundary validation. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented at the application level to sanitize MATLAB file inputs before processing, particularly when handling untrusted data. Memory debugging tools and address sanitizers such as valgrind or address sanitizer can help detect similar issues during development and testing phases. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in scientific computing libraries, where mathematical data processing routines often handle complex binary formats that require careful boundary checking to prevent memory safety issues. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and heap operations that could indicate exploitation attempts targeting similar buffer over-read conditions.