CVE-2022-31291 in dlt-daemon
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
An issue in dlt_config_file_parser.c of dlt-daemon v2.18.8 allows attackers to cause a double free via crafted TCP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-31291 affects the dlt-daemon software version 2.18.8, specifically within the dlt_config_file_parser.c component. This issue represents a critical memory corruption flaw that arises from improper handling of crafted TCP packets during the daemon's configuration file parsing process. The dlt-daemon serves as a logging and tracing daemon commonly used in automotive and embedded systems environments for collecting diagnostic information from vehicles and industrial devices. When processing network traffic containing specially crafted TCP packets, the daemon fails to properly validate input data, leading to a condition where memory allocated for configuration parsing operations can be freed twice, creating a classic double free vulnerability.
This double free condition occurs when the daemon's configuration file parser encounters malformed TCP packets that trigger an unexpected code path in the memory management routines. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory deallocation logic within the parsing function that handles configuration data transmitted over TCP connections. When the parser processes these crafted packets, it executes memory deallocation operations that can be triggered multiple times for the same memory block, potentially leading to memory corruption. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through network-based attacks, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the daemon's memory management behavior and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can enable remote code execution and system compromise within environments where dlt-daemon is deployed. Automotive systems, industrial control systems, and embedded devices that rely on this daemon for diagnostic logging and tracing functionality become vulnerable to attacks that could potentially allow adversaries to gain unauthorized access to critical system components. The vulnerability affects systems where the daemon listens for TCP connections and processes configuration updates from remote sources, making it particularly concerning for vehicle networking systems where such communication channels are common. Security researchers have classified this issue as high severity due to its potential for remote exploitation and the critical nature of the affected software in automotive and industrial contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-31291 should prioritize immediate patching of affected dlt-daemon installations to version 2.18.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the double free vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the daemon to untrusted networks, particularly in automotive environments where vehicle networks may be exposed to external threats. The fix typically involves strengthening input validation routines and ensuring proper memory deallocation practices within the configuration file parser to prevent the same memory block from being freed multiple times. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed TCP packet sequences targeting this specific vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-415 which describes double free conditions in memory management, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and remote code execution in automotive and embedded systems environments.