CVE-2022-1987 in Libmobi
Summary
by MITRE • 06/03/2022
Buffer Over-read in GitHub repository bfabiszewski/libmobi prior to 0.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-1987 represents a critical buffer over-read issue discovered in the libmobi library version prior to 0.11, affecting the broader ecosystem of mobile device management and document processing applications. This vulnerability resides within the bfabiszewski/libmobi GitHub repository, which serves as a core component for handling mobi format files commonly used in e-book applications and mobile device synchronization protocols. The buffer over-read condition occurs when the library processes malformed or specially crafted mobi files that exceed expected data boundaries during parsing operations.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient bounds checking mechanism within the library's parsing routine for mobi container formats. When encountering specially constructed input data, the library attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions or causing application crashes. This over-read behavior stems from inadequate validation of input parameters and failure to properly handle edge cases during the parsing of metadata sections within mobi documents. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds read operation that violates fundamental memory safety principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors within the mobile computing and document management landscape. Applications utilizing libmobi for processing mobi files become susceptible to remote code execution or information disclosure attacks when processing untrusted input. Attackers can craft malicious mobi files that trigger the buffer over-read condition, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. The vulnerability affects not only direct users of the library but also applications that depend on it for document processing, including e-book readers, mobile device management systems, and enterprise document handling platforms. This represents a significant concern for organizations relying on mobi format support in their mobile infrastructure, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, web downloads, or device synchronization protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1987 require immediate remediation through upgrading to libmobi version 0.11 or later, which incorporates proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization procedures and employ static analysis tools to identify similar vulnerabilities within their codebases. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety practices and proper bounds checking in file format parsers, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. Security teams must conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all applications utilizing libmobi, implement network monitoring for suspicious file processing activities, and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices including bounds checking, memory safety validation, and input parameter verification to prevent similar issues in future implementations.