CVE-2021-40034 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2022
The video framework has the memory overwriting vulnerability caused by addition overflow. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect the availability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-40034 represents a critical memory overwriting issue within a video framework component that stems from an integer addition overflow condition. This flaw exists in the way the framework handles memory allocation calculations during video processing operations, where the system performs arithmetic operations that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used. The vulnerability manifests when the framework attempts to calculate memory requirements for video frames or buffers, leading to an overflow that results in improper memory allocation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where arithmetic operations produce values that exceed the capacity of the underlying data type. The specific nature of this overflow creates a scenario where the system allocates insufficient memory or incorrectly calculates buffer sizes, potentially leading to memory corruption that affects the overall system stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for exploitation through controlled input data that triggers the overflow condition during video processing workflows. When an attacker provides specially crafted video content or parameters that cause the addition operation to overflow, the system may allocate memory blocks that are either too small to accommodate the actual data requirements or may overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways including application crashes, memory corruption that affects other processes, or potentially more severe outcomes if the overflow results in executable code placement in unintended memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in video processing frameworks because these systems often handle large amounts of data with complex memory management requirements, making the impact of improper memory allocation more pronounced. The availability impact is significant as the system may become unresponsive or crash entirely when the overflow condition is triggered, effectively rendering the video processing capabilities unusable for legitimate users while potentially providing an avenue for denial-of-service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-40034 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise the integrity of video processing workflows and overall system availability. Organizations utilizing affected video frameworks may experience unexpected service interruptions, particularly during high-volume video processing operations where the likelihood of triggering the overflow condition increases. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through video input channels, making it particularly dangerous in environments where external video feeds are processed without adequate validation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform denial-of-service attacks against video processing servers, streaming platforms, or content management systems that rely on the vulnerable framework. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt video services. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, where the attacker targets system availability through memory corruption. The impact is particularly severe in streaming environments where continuous video processing is required, as the service interruption can affect thousands of users simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-40034 should focus on immediate patch deployment from vendors who have released security updates addressing the integer overflow condition in their video frameworks. Organizations should implement input validation measures that limit video parameters to prevent triggering the overflow condition, including setting maximum limits on video dimensions, frame rates, and buffer sizes. Memory safety enhancements such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries should be enabled to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of video processing pipelines should be conducted to identify and remediate similar integer overflow conditions in other components. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual video processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices including proper integer overflow checking, bounds validation, and memory allocation safety measures. Organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing memory corruption vulnerabilities and ensure that system administrators are trained to recognize signs of exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be performed on video processing systems to identify similar weaknesses in related components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.