CVE-2021-36977 in matio
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2021
matio (aka MAT File I/O Library) 1.5.20 and 1.5.21 has a heap-based buffer overflow in H5MM_memcpy (called from H5MM_malloc and H5C_load_entry).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-36977 affects the matio library, commonly known as MAT File I/O Library, which is widely used for reading and writing MATLAB file format data. This library serves as a critical component in scientific computing environments where researchers and engineers need to exchange data between MATLAB and other applications. The affected versions 1.5.20 and 1.5.21 contain a heap-based buffer overflow that presents a significant security risk to systems relying on this library for file processing operations.
The technical flaw manifests within the H5MM_memcpy function which is invoked from both H5MM_malloc and H5C_load_entry within the library's memory management subsystem. This buffer overflow occurs when the library processes malformed or specially crafted MAT files that contain improperly sized data structures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during memory allocation and copying operations, allowing an attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The heap-based nature of this overflow means that the vulnerability can potentially be exploited to corrupt adjacent memory regions, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains where MAT files are processed, including scientific computing platforms, data analysis systems, and engineering applications. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious MAT files that trigger the buffer overflow during normal file processing operations. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could lead to denial of service conditions where applications crash or become unresponsive, or in more severe cases, allow remote code execution if the attacker can control the memory layout and overwrite critical program structures. The vulnerability particularly affects systems that automatically process or parse MAT files from untrusted sources, making it a significant concern for data ingestion pipelines and automated analysis systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-36977 should prioritize immediate patching of the matio library to versions that address the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures for any MAT files processed through the library, including file format verification and size limitation checks. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems that process MAT files from untrusted sources. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory allocation patterns or application crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through memory corruption. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing operations and regularly audit their software dependencies to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other libraries.