CVE-2021-44485 in YottaDB
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2022
An issue was discovered in YottaDB through r1.32 and V7.0-000. A lack of NULL checks in trip_gen in sr_port/emit_code.c allows attackers to crash the application by dereferencing a NULL pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44485 affects YottaDB database systems version r1.32 and V7.0-000, representing a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the trip_gen function of the sr_port/emit_code.c source file. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms that fail to properly check for NULL pointer conditions before attempting to access memory locations. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes certain database operations that trigger the trip_gen code generation routine, creating a scenario where uninitialized or improperly validated pointers are dereferenced without proper null checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the trip_gen function within the YottaDB runtime environment responsible for generating code during database operations. When the system encounters specific input patterns or database states, the emit_code.c module fails to validate whether pointers passed to trip_gen contain valid memory references before attempting to access them. This fundamental lack of null pointer validation creates a predictable crash condition that can be reliably triggered by malicious actors. The flaw operates at the code generation layer of the database system, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially disrupt database operations and service availability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to database system stability and availability. Attackers can exploit this NULL pointer dereference to cause application crashes, leading to denial of service conditions that may require system restarts and manual intervention. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as database systems that rely on YottaDB for critical operations could experience extended downtime, data access interruptions, and potential cascading failures in dependent applications. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it requires minimal input manipulation to trigger the crash condition, making it a low-effort, high-impact threat vector.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that address the null pointer validation issue in the trip_gen function. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual crash patterns or application instability that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be prevented through comprehensive input validation and error handling. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and recovery from potential exploitation attempts, as the attack vector could be used to disrupt database services or potentially as a stepping stone for more complex attacks targeting the underlying system infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of memory safety practices in database system development, particularly in code generation components that handle runtime operations. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor oversight in pointer validation can result in significant system instability and availability issues. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on null pointer handling in similar code generation modules and consider implementing automated static analysis tools that can identify potential NULL pointer dereference conditions. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of robust application-level error handling and the importance of defensive programming practices that prevent unauthorized access to invalid memory locations.