CVE-2021-46490 in Jsish
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2022
Jsish v3.5.0 was discovered to contain a SEGV vulnerability via NumberConstructor at src/jsiNumber.c. This vulnerability can lead to a Denial of Service (DoS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-46490 affects Jsish version 3.5.0 and represents a critical security flaw within the JavaScript interpreter implementation. This issue manifests as a segmentation fault or SEGV vulnerability that occurs within the NumberConstructor functionality at the source file jsiNumber.c. The Jsish interpreter is a lightweight JavaScript engine designed for embedded systems and command-line usage, making it susceptible to exploitation in environments where reliable execution is paramount. The vulnerability specifically targets the numeric type handling mechanisms within the interpreter's core functionality.
The technical nature of this flaw resides in improper memory management or validation within the NumberConstructor implementation, which is responsible for creating and manipulating numeric values in the JavaScript environment. When the interpreter processes certain numeric operations or constructor calls, it fails to properly validate input parameters or handle edge cases, leading to memory access violations that result in segmentation faults. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-248, which encompasses improper exception handling. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with memory safety issues that are particularly dangerous in interpreter environments where arbitrary code execution could potentially be achieved through sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a fundamental stability issue that could compromise the entire interpreter environment. A remote attacker capable of sending malicious numeric inputs to a Jsish-powered application or service could trigger the segmentation fault, causing the application to crash and potentially leading to system instability or complete service interruption. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems, IoT devices, or any environment where Jsish is used as a core component of application logic, as the DoS condition could result in operational downtime and potential security implications. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used JavaScript interpreter means that numerous applications and systems could be affected, creating a cascading impact across various platforms that rely on Jsish for scripting capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Jsish installations to version 3.5.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the NumberConstructor memory handling issues. System administrators should implement input validation mechanisms at application boundaries to prevent malformed numeric data from reaching the interpreter, utilizing techniques such as parameter sanitization and type checking. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems and monitoring solutions can help identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The fix implemented by the Jsish development team addresses the underlying memory access violations and ensures proper validation of numeric constructor parameters, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for avoiding detection through system stability manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and runtime protection solutions to limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future, while maintaining compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls related to system integrity and availability.