CVE-2021-46141 in uriparser
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2022
An issue was discovered in uriparser before 0.9.6. It performs invalid free operations in uriFreeUriMembers and uriMakeOwner.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-46141 affects the uriparser library version 0.9.5 and earlier, representing a critical memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. This library serves as a URI parsing utility widely used across various software applications and operating systems for handling uniform resource identifiers. The flaw manifests in the uriFreeUriMembers and uriMakeOwner functions where improper memory management operations occur, specifically involving invalid free operations that can result in heap corruption and potential exploitation. The issue stems from the library's handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes when processing URI structures, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory state through crafted input data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management practices within the uriparser library's internal functions. When uriFreeUriMembers and uriMakeOwner are invoked, they perform free operations on memory locations that may have already been freed or are not properly allocated for freeing, leading to undefined behavior patterns. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues as classified by CWE-416. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with use-after-free vulnerabilities where memory is accessed after it has been released, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of uriparser across multiple platforms and applications, making it a prime target for exploitation in various attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-46141 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or manipulate application behavior through carefully crafted URI inputs. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, particularly in applications that rely heavily on URI parsing for network communications or file operations. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could leverage the memory corruption to inject and execute malicious code within the application context. Applications using affected versions of uriparser may be vulnerable to remote code execution when processing untrusted URI data, making this issue particularly dangerous in network-facing services or web applications that parse user-supplied URI information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to uriparser version 0.9.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the invalid free operations. System administrators and developers should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all applications and systems utilizing affected versions of the library, implementing immediate patching procedures across all identified instances. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls for URI data processing, employing memory safety techniques such as address sanitizers, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The remediation process should follow established security protocols including vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and comprehensive regression testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues or regressions in existing functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.