CVE-2019-9028 in matio
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in libmatio.a in matio (aka MAT File I/O Library) 1.5.13. There is a stack-based buffer over-read in the function InflateDimensions() in inflate.c when called from ReadNextCell in mat5.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9028 represents a critical stack-based buffer over-read flaw within the matio library version 1.5.13, specifically affecting the MAT File I/O Library used for reading and writing matlab file formats. This issue occurs in the InflateDimensions() function located within the inflate.c source file and is triggered when the function is invoked by ReadNextCell() in the mat5.c file. The flaw manifests during the processing of malformed or specially crafted matlab files, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read beyond the bounds of a allocated stack buffer, potentially leading to information disclosure, application instability, or remote code execution depending on the execution environment and memory layout.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the InflateDimensions() function which processes dimension information during the decompression phase of matlab file parsing. When the ReadNextCell() function calls InflateDimensions(), it passes data that may exceed the expected buffer boundaries, causing the stack-based buffer over-read condition. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-126, which specifically addresses Buffer Under-read conditions where a program attempts to read data from a buffer at an offset that is beyond the valid buffer boundaries. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation where the library fails to adequately verify the size and structure of dimension data before attempting to process it.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9028 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it creates potential attack vectors that could be exploited in various scenarios including web applications, scientific computing environments, and any system that processes matlab files from untrusted sources. An attacker could craft malicious matlab files that, when opened by vulnerable applications, would trigger the buffer over-read condition. This could result in information leakage from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive data, stack canaries, or other memory contents that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where matlab files are processed automatically or through web interfaces, as it could enable remote code execution if combined with other exploitation techniques or if the memory layout allows for controlled data corruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the matio library to version 1.5.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures when processing matlab files, particularly those received from external sources or users, and consider employing sandboxing techniques to isolate file processing operations. The implementation of address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and other exploit mitigation techniques can help reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation, though these measures alone do not prevent the vulnerability from occurring. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of all applications that utilize the matio library to identify potential exposure points and ensure that proper error handling and input validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar buffer over-read conditions from occurring in other parts of their codebase. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for script-based execution, as exploitation may involve crafting malicious input files that trigger the vulnerable code path, and T1068 for privilege escalation if successful exploitation leads to code execution with elevated privileges.