CVE-2021-46773 in EPYC
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
Insufficient input validation in ABL may enable a privileged attacker to corrupt ASP memory, potentially resulting in a loss of integrity or code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-46773 resides within the ABL component of a software system, representing a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that can be exploited by privileged attackers to compromise system integrity. This flaw specifically targets the Application Binary Library which serves as a foundational element for various system operations, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over critical processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied inputs that flow into the ASP memory management subsystem, creating potential pathways for memory corruption attacks that could lead to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation where malicious data can traverse through the ABL interface and directly influence memory operations within the ASP environment. When privileged users submit crafted inputs that bypass validation checks, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before processing them within memory-intensive operations. This weakness creates a direct attack surface where buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other memory-related exploits can be initiated, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at a low level within the system architecture, making detection and prevention particularly challenging as it can bypass traditional security controls and operate within the trusted execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-46773 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized code execution capabilities. Privileged attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can manipulate memory structures to inject malicious code, potentially leading to complete system takeover or data exfiltration. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tactics and techniques framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and code injection. Organizations utilizing affected systems face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive data, system availability disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the compromised system serves as a foothold for further attacks.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms throughout the ABL processing pipeline, with particular emphasis on sanitizing all user-supplied data before it enters memory management operations. The implementation of proper bounds checking, memory protection mechanisms, and input sanitization routines can effectively prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider applying patches and updates provided by vendors as soon as they become available, while implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation," and aligns with attack patterns in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and execution tactics. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on memory management practices can help identify similar weaknesses in other system components and establish comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies against memory corruption vulnerabilities.