CVE-2022-37454 in Communications Unified Assurance
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2022
The Keccak XKCP SHA-3 reference implementation before fdc6fef has an integer overflow and resultant buffer overflow that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or eliminate expected cryptographic properties. This occurs in the sponge function interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37454 resides within the Keccak XKCP SHA-3 reference implementation, specifically affecting versions prior to commit fdc6fef. This flaw represents a critical security issue that undermines the cryptographic integrity of the implementation by introducing both integer overflow and subsequent buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability manifests within the sponge function interface, which serves as a fundamental component in the cryptographic operations of SHA-3 algorithms. The sponge function interface acts as a core building block for the Keccak cryptographic permutation, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it affects the basic operational mechanisms of the cryptographic library.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the sponge function implementation. When processing cryptographic data through the sponge interface, the implementation fails to properly validate or constrain integer values that may exceed their designated storage limits. This integer overflow condition creates a cascade effect that results in a buffer overflow, where maliciously crafted inputs can cause the system to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The flaw occurs during the normal execution flow of cryptographic operations, making it particularly insidious as it can be triggered through legitimate cryptographic processing rather than requiring special attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems relying on the Keccak XKCP SHA-3 implementation for cryptographic security. Attackers who can exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also threatens the expected cryptographic properties of the SHA-3 implementation, which could result in weakened security assurances and potential cryptographic failures that undermine the trust in the entire cryptographic infrastructure. Systems using vulnerable versions of this library may experience unauthorized access, data manipulation, or complete system compromise depending on how the cryptographic functions are utilized.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow conditions, and CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to gain elevated system privileges. The exploitation requires minimal prerequisites since the vulnerability exists within normal cryptographic processing flows, making it particularly dangerous in environments where cryptographic libraries are widely used. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate cryptographic operations without requiring specialized attack conditions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on upgrading to the patched version of the Keccak XKCP SHA-3 implementation, specifically targeting commit fdc6fef or later. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable versions of this cryptographic library. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and input validation mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts, though the primary defense remains the software patch. Organizations should also consider implementing cryptographic function auditing to ensure proper handling of integer values and memory allocation during cryptographic operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of thorough testing and validation of cryptographic implementations, particularly in security-sensitive environments where the integrity of cryptographic operations is paramount to overall system security posture.