CVE-2019-9036 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 heap-based buffer overflow in the function ReadNextFunctionHandle() in mat5.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9036 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the matio library version 1.5.13, specifically within the ReadNextFunctionHandle() function located in the mat5.c file. This issue affects the MAT File I/O Library which is commonly used for reading and writing MATLAB file format data structures. The flaw manifests when processing malformed or maliciously crafted MATLAB files, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of function handle data structures within MATLAB binary files, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management during the parsing process of MATLAB file format constructs. When the ReadNextFunctionHandle() function processes input data, it fails to validate the size parameters of function handle elements before attempting to read or write data into heap-allocated buffers. This oversight creates a condition where attacker-controlled input can cause the application to allocate insufficient memory for function handle data, leading to a buffer overflow scenario. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory rather than on the stack, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9036 extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling remote code execution when vulnerable applications process untrusted MATLAB files. Systems utilizing matio for MATLAB file processing, including scientific computing environments, data analysis platforms, and applications that import/export MATLAB data, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack scenarios including web applications that allow MATLAB file uploads, automated data processing pipelines, or any software that incorporates matio as a dependency for handling MATLAB file formats. The exploitation potential is significant as attackers can craft malicious MATLAB files that trigger the buffer overflow during normal file parsing operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected matio library to version 1.5.14 or later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive dependency management practices to ensure all systems using matio are updated with the patched version. Additional protective measures include input sanitization for MATLAB file processing, implementing strict file format validation, and employing sandboxing techniques when handling untrusted MATLAB data. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in file I/O libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting languages, as the overflow could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of applications using the vulnerable library. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through malformed MATLAB file uploads or processing activities.