CVE-2021-32286 in hcxtools
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2021
An issue was discovered in hcxtools through 6.1.6. A global-buffer-overflow exists in the function pcapngoptionwalk located in hcxpcapngtool.c. It allows an attacker to cause code Execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32286 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the hcxtools suite, specifically affecting versions through 6.1.6. This issue manifests in the pcapngoptionwalk function located within the hcxpcapngtool.c source file, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution attacks. The hcxtools package serves as a collection of utilities for processing wireless capture files, particularly those related to wireless security testing and analysis, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for cybersecurity professionals who rely on these tools for network assessment activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the pcapngoptionwalk function, which processes pcapng (Portable Computer Network Graphics) option data structures. When the function encounters malformed or excessively large option data within wireless capture files, it fails to validate buffer boundaries before copying data into allocated memory regions. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the implementation does not properly verify the size of incoming data against the allocated buffer space, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is classified as a global buffer overflow, meaning the overflow affects memory that is accessible globally rather than being confined to local function scope, potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can enable remote code execution when an attacker successfully crafts malicious pcapng files that trigger the vulnerable code path. This poses significant risks to security professionals who may inadvertently process compromised wireless capture files during penetration testing or forensic analysis activities. The vulnerability affects the hcxpcapngtool utility, which is commonly used to convert wireless capture files between different formats, making it a potential attack vector during routine security operations. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by preparing specially crafted wireless capture files that, when processed by affected versions of hcxtools, would cause the buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the tool.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-32286 primarily focus on immediate version updates to hcxtools 6.1.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement strict input validation procedures for wireless capture files, particularly when processing files from untrusted sources or during automated security testing workflows. Security teams should consider implementing sandboxed execution environments for processing wireless capture files, ensuring that any potential exploitation attempts occur within isolated containers or virtualized environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper bounds checking and memory management. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged through techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for execution through command and scripting interpreter, where maliciously crafted files could trigger code execution when processed by vulnerable tools. Network security teams should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on changes to the hcxtools binaries, ensuring that patched versions are properly deployed across all systems that utilize these wireless security analysis tools.