CVE-2021-22480 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/25/2022
The interface of a certain HarmonyOS module has an integer overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to heap memory overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-22480 resides within a HarmonyOS module interface where an integer overflow condition exists that can potentially result in heap memory corruption. This type of vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity and potentially execute arbitrary code. The issue manifests in the module's handling of integer values during memory allocation operations, where insufficient bounds checking allows for overflow conditions that can manipulate heap memory structures. Integer overflows occur when an arithmetic operation attempts to create a value that is outside the range that can be represented within the allocated storage space, and in this case, the overflow leads to heap-based memory corruption rather than simple data corruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because heap memory overflow conditions can enable attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially achieve code execution through controlled data overwrite scenarios.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from improper integer validation and bounds checking within the HarmonyOS module interface implementation. When integer values are processed in memory allocation functions or buffer size calculations, the system fails to properly validate that the resulting values remain within safe operational limits. This allows attackers to craft inputs that, when processed by the vulnerable module, cause integer overflow conditions that result in heap memory allocation errors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and more broadly with CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow issues. The flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms that should be implemented to prevent such arithmetic overflow conditions from occurring during runtime operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-22480 extends beyond simple system instability or denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Successful exploitation can allow adversaries to manipulate heap memory structures and potentially achieve arbitrary code execution, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for systems that process untrusted input through the affected module interface. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability may also enable privilege escalation attacks where the heap corruption allows attackers to modify critical system data structures or overwrite function pointers. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation could lead to execution of malicious payloads within the compromised system environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-22480 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms within the affected HarmonyOS module interface. Organizations should prioritize patching systems with vendor-provided security updates that address the integer overflow condition through proper bounds checking and arithmetic overflow prevention techniques. Code review processes should be enhanced to specifically identify and remediate similar integer handling issues throughout the software stack. Memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper integer overflow detection libraries and runtime checks can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential integer overflow conditions within the system architecture. The remediation approach should also include monitoring for suspicious memory allocation patterns and implementing strict input validation protocols that prevent maliciously crafted integer values from being processed by the vulnerable module interface.