CVE-2021-25906 in basic_dsp_matrix Crate
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2021
An issue was discovered in the basic_dsp_matrix crate before 0.9.2 for Rust. When a TransformContent panic occurs, a double drop can be performed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25906 affects the basic_dsp_matrix crate version 0.9.1 and earlier in the Rust programming language ecosystem. This issue represents a critical memory safety flaw that arises from improper handling of panic conditions within the crate's transformation content processing mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a TransformContent panic occurs, creating a scenario where memory management operations become corrupted due to the crate's failure to properly manage resource cleanup during exceptional conditions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a double drop condition that occurs during panic handling within the basic_dsp_matrix crate. When a TransformContent operation fails and triggers a panic, the crate's destructor logic executes twice on the same memory location, leading to undefined behavior and potential memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-415 category of double free errors, where the same memory location is deallocated twice, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout or execute arbitrary code. The Rust language's ownership system typically prevents such issues, but the specific implementation flaw in this crate creates a path where panic conditions can bypass normal memory management protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can be exploited to achieve remote code execution or denial of service conditions within applications that utilize the affected crate. Attackers can craft malicious input data that triggers the TransformContent panic, subsequently causing the double drop condition that leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where the crate is used for audio processing or digital signal processing applications, as these systems often handle sensitive data and may be deployed in security-critical contexts. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation may involve crafting inputs that trigger the panic condition.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25906 focus primarily on upgrading to version 0.9.2 or later of the basic_dsp_matrix crate, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the double drop condition. System administrators and developers should conduct comprehensive dependency audits to identify all applications and services that utilize this crate, ensuring that all affected components are updated to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves modifying the crate's panic handling logic to ensure that cleanup operations occur only once, even when exceptions or panics occur during transformation processes. Organizations should also consider implementing automated dependency monitoring systems to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their software supply chains.