CVE-2022-0699 in shapelib
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2022
A double-free condition exists in contrib/shpsort.c of shapelib 1.5.0 and older releases. This issue may allow an attacker to cause a denial of service or have other unspecified impact via control over malloc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0699 represents a critical double-free condition within the shapelib library version 1.5.0 and earlier releases. This flaw resides in the contrib/shpsort.c file and constitutes a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through manipulation of malloc operations. The shapelib library serves as a crucial component for handling shapefile data in various geographic information systems and mapping applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for software ecosystems that rely on spatial data processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this double-free vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to free the same memory block twice during the execution of the shpsort.c module. This condition arises from improper memory management practices where the same pointer is passed to the free() function multiple times without proper validation or reinitialization. When malloc() is controlled by an attacker, they can manipulate the memory allocation patterns to trigger this double-free scenario, which typically results in heap corruption and unpredictable application behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management, and represents a classic example of how improper resource handling can lead to severe security implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0699 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential arbitrary code execution and system instability. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause applications using shapelib to crash or behave unpredictably, potentially leading to complete system outages in environments where spatial data processing is critical. The attacker-controlled malloc scenario means that an adversary could craft malicious shapefile data that, when processed by vulnerable applications, triggers the double-free condition. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in server environments where shapefile processing is automated or where users can upload shapefiles, as it could enable remote code execution or persistent denial of service attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption technique under the System Service Execution and Resource Exhaustion tactics, where adversaries leverage memory management flaws to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0699 require immediate patching of affected shapelib installations to versions 1.6.0 or later where the double-free condition has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular scanning for outdated libraries and dependencies, particularly those used in GIS applications and mapping services. Additionally, input validation and sanitization should be strengthened for all shapefile processing components, ensuring that malicious data cannot trigger memory corruption vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should include implementing proper memory management practices such as using smart pointers, employing memory debugging tools like valgrind or address sanitizers during development, and establishing secure coding guidelines that prevent double-free conditions. Organizations should also consider deploying network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted inputs, while maintaining detailed monitoring and logging of shapefile processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.