CVE-2019-5064 in Enterprise Manager Base Platform
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the data structure persistence functionality of OpenCV, before version 4.2.0. A specially crafted JSON file can cause a buffer overflow, resulting in multiple heap corruptions and potentially code execution. An attacker can provide a specially crafted file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5064 represents a critical heap buffer overflow flaw within the OpenCV library's data structure persistence mechanisms. This issue specifically affects versions prior to 4.2.0 and stems from inadequate input validation during JSON file processing. The vulnerability manifests when the library attempts to deserialize malformed JSON data that contains oversized or improperly structured arrays, leading to memory corruption through buffer overflows in heap-allocated memory regions. The flaw resides in the library's handling of serialized data structures, particularly when processing array elements that exceed predefined buffer boundaries during deserialization operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic heap overflow pattern where attacker-controlled data influences memory allocation and copying operations within the OpenCV persistence framework. When processing a malicious JSON file, the library's parser fails to properly bounds-check array sizes before allocating memory for data structures, allowing an attacker to specify array dimensions that exceed allocated buffer space. This results in memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent heap metadata, leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787, out-of-bounds write, where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption beyond intended allocation boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential attack vectors for remote code execution within applications that utilize OpenCV for image processing and computer vision tasks. Systems running vulnerable versions of OpenCV are at risk when processing untrusted JSON data, particularly in web applications, mobile platforms, or any environment where JSON files may be received from external sources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through crafted JSON files that trigger the overflow during normal library operation, potentially enabling privilege escalation, denial of service, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context and target environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated through file-based attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where OpenCV is widely deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5064 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to OpenCV 4.2.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in JSON deserialization. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all systems utilizing OpenCV are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include input validation for JSON files, sandboxing applications that process external JSON data, and implementing network-level restrictions to prevent unauthorized file uploads. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual JSON processing patterns and memory allocation behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking in serialization frameworks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve code execution within the application context. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting file processing capabilities to minimize the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in third-party libraries.