CVE-2021-38445 in OpenDDS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/05/2022
OCI OpenDDS versions prior to 3.18.1 do not handle a length parameter consistent with the actual length of the associated data, which may allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2022
OpenDDS is a comprehensive middleware implementation for the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard that facilitates high-performance real-time data exchange across distributed systems. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 3181 and stems from improper handling of length parameters within the communication protocol. This flaw exists in the way the software processes serialized data structures where the declared length field does not match the actual data payload, creating a potential buffer over-read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the deserialization logic of OpenDDS components that process incoming data messages. When the middleware receives a malformed message with inconsistent length parameters, it fails to validate the boundary conditions properly before attempting to parse or copy data into internal buffers. This inconsistency creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that cause the software to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, representing both insufficient validation of input length and improper handling of buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various deployment scenarios where OpenDDS is utilized for real-time data distribution including aerospace systems, industrial automation, and defense applications. Remote exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially compromising entire distributed systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that OpenDDS is commonly deployed in mission-critical environments where system integrity and availability are paramount. The vulnerability can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise without requiring authentication if the affected services are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate upgrade to OpenDDS version 3181 or later which contains the necessary patches addressing the length parameter validation issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of DDS services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to remote adversaries. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation at network boundaries, monitoring for anomalous data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of distributed systems using OpenDDS components. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for both defensive measures and incident response preparedness. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls or intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor DDS protocol traffic patterns and detect potential exploitation attempts.