CVE-2020-10232 in The Sleuth Kit
Summary
by MITRE
In version 4.8.0 and earlier of The Sleuth Kit (TSK), there is a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the YAFFS file timestamp parsing logic in yaffsfs_istat() in fs/yaffs.c.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2020-10232 represents a critical stack buffer overflow within The Sleuth Kit version 4.8.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the YAFFS file system parsing functionality. This flaw exists in the yaffsfs_istat() function located in the fs/yaffs.c source file, which is responsible for extracting and displaying file system metadata including timestamps. The issue manifests when processing YAFFS (Yet Another Flash File System) file system structures, commonly found in embedded systems and mobile devices where flash storage is prevalent. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking during timestamp parsing operations, creating a potential exploitation vector for malicious actors who can craft specially formatted YAFFS file system structures to trigger the buffer overflow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the YAFFS file system parser where fixed-size buffers are used to store timestamp data without adequate validation of input data length. When the yaffsfs_istat() function processes file system entries, it attempts to parse timestamp information from YAFFS structures without verifying that the incoming data fits within allocated buffer boundaries. This oversight allows attackers to provide oversized timestamp data that overflows the stack buffer, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-121, Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development practices. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming techniques where input validation is insufficiently implemented, violating established security principles for robust software design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within digital forensics and incident response environments where The Sleuth Kit is extensively deployed for file system analysis and evidence recovery. Security professionals and forensic investigators using affected versions of TSK could face system compromise when analyzing YAFFS file systems from potentially malicious sources, including compromised mobile devices, embedded systems, or digital evidence containers. The vulnerability poses particular risk in automated forensic processing scenarios where tools may unknowingly process maliciously crafted file system structures, leading to potential denial of service conditions or unauthorized code execution on the forensic workstation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges on systems running vulnerable versions of TSK, especially in environments where forensic analysis tools are executed with administrative privileges. This risk is amplified in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on forensic systems during analysis operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10232 require immediate version updates to The Sleuth Kit 4.8.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the stack buffer overflow in the YAFFS file system parsing logic. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all forensic tools and systems are updated to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include input validation enforcement, sandboxed execution environments for file system analysis, and regular security assessments of forensic toolchains. System administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls around forensic workstations to limit potential attack vectors, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation approach aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management and follows the NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines for addressing software security flaws through timely patching and risk mitigation strategies.