CVE-2022-0614 in mruby
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2022
Use of Out-of-range Pointer Offset in Homebrew mruby prior to 3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0614 represents a critical memory safety issue within the mruby interpreter ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.2. This flaw resides in the Homebrew package manager's mruby implementation and demonstrates a classic out-of-bounds memory access pattern that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during pointer arithmetic operations within the interpreter's memory management subsystem, creating a scenario where malicious input could cause the program to access memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices or pointer offsets, and specifically manifests as an out-of-range pointer offset issue. When mruby processes certain input sequences, the interpreter fails to validate the offset values used in pointer arithmetic operations, allowing attackers to manipulate memory access patterns through crafted inputs. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the software does not properly verify that pointer offsets fall within acceptable ranges before dereferencing memory addresses, creating opportunities for memory corruption and potential exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0614 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it represents a potential pathway for privilege escalation and remote code execution within systems that rely on vulnerable mruby installations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by constructing specific input payloads that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability affects systems where Homebrew is used alongside mruby, particularly those running older versions of the interpreter that have not received the necessary security patches.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques related to memory corruption and privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation could enable adversaries to move laterally within compromised systems or establish persistent access through code execution capabilities. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected mruby installations to version 3.2 or later, along with implementing additional runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable mruby versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software dependencies and implementing robust input validation mechanisms to prevent memory safety issues from becoming exploitable attack vectors.