CVE-2022-2509 in Communications Cloud Native Core Binding Support Function
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
A vulnerability found in gnutls. This security flaw happens because of a double free error occurs during verification of pkcs7 signatures in gnutls_pkcs7_verify function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2509 represents a critical double free error within the GNU TLS library that specifically manifests during the verification process of PKCS#7 signatures. This flaw exists within the gnutls_pkcs7_verify function where improper memory management leads to a scenario where the same memory block gets deallocated twice. The double free condition occurs when the library fails to properly track memory allocation states during signature verification operations, creating a potential avenue for memory corruption that could be exploited by malicious actors.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-415 category of double free conditions, which is classified as a memory safety issue that occurs when a program attempts to free the same memory block twice. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory management error where the gnutls library does not properly handle reference counting or memory state tracking during the complex process of PKCS#7 signature verification. When an attacker can manipulate the input data to trigger this specific code path, the double free condition can result in arbitrary code execution or denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the cryptographic verification layer where legitimate signature validation processes occur.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2509 extends across numerous systems and applications that rely on GNU TLS for secure communications and cryptographic operations. Any software that utilizes the gnutls_pkcs7_verify function for validating PKCS#7 signatures becomes vulnerable to this memory corruption issue. This includes web servers, email clients, certificate management systems, and any application that processes PKCS#7 formatted certificates or signatures. The vulnerability can be exploited through crafted PKCS#7 signature data that, when processed by the affected gnutls library, triggers the double free condition. Attackers can potentially leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on systems using vulnerable versions of GNU TLS, leading to complete system compromise or service disruption.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code. The flaw also relates to T1499.004 for network denial of service, since the double free condition can cause applications to crash or become unresponsive during signature verification operations. Organizations using GNU TLS versions affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their systems, as the memory corruption can be triggered through legitimate signature verification operations without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors. The remediation strategy involves updating to patched versions of GNU TLS where the memory management in the gnutls_pkcs7_verify function has been corrected to prevent the double free scenario through proper memory state tracking and allocation handling.
The technical nature of this vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of memory management in cryptographic libraries where multiple layers of abstraction and verification processes can introduce subtle flaws. The double free error occurs due to insufficient validation of memory allocation states during the signature verification workflow, where the library fails to properly account for memory that has already been freed. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered during normal cryptographic operations rather than requiring special attack conditions, making it a significant risk to systems that rely on secure signature verification for authentication and integrity validation purposes.