CVE-2023-28448 in Versionize
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2023
Versionize is a framework for version tolerant serializion/deserialization of Rust data structures, designed for usecases that need fast deserialization times and minimal size overhead. An issue was discovered in the ‘Versionize::deserialize’ implementation provided by the ‘versionize’ crate for ‘vmm_sys_utils::fam::FamStructWrapper', which can lead to out of bounds memory accesses. The impact started with version 0.1.1. The issue was corrected in version 0.1.10 by inserting a check that verifies, for any deserialized header, the lengths of compared flexible arrays are equal and aborting deserialization otherwise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28448 affects the versionize crate, a Rust framework designed for version-tolerant serialization and deserialization of data structures with emphasis on fast deserialization times and minimal memory overhead. This framework is particularly utilized in systems requiring efficient data handling such as virtual machine management utilities. The flaw manifests specifically within the Versionize::deserialize implementation when processing data structures of type vmm_sys_utils::fam::FamStructWrapper, which represents flexible array members commonly used in system-level programming. The vulnerability was introduced in version 0.1.1 and remained unpatched until version 0.1.10 where proper validation was implemented.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient bounds checking during the deserialization process of flexible array members. When the deserialization routine processes a header containing flexible array data, it fails to validate that the lengths of compared flexible arrays match before proceeding with memory operations. This oversight creates a scenario where maliciously crafted serialized data could trigger out-of-bounds memory access patterns. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of flexible array members which are variable-length data structures that can cause memory layout issues when not properly validated during deserialization. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions within applications that utilize the affected versionize crate. The out-of-bounds memory access could lead to memory corruption that might be exploited to achieve privilege escalation or system compromise. Given that versionize is designed for performance-critical applications and systems requiring fast deserialization, the attack surface extends to environments where serialized data is processed from untrusted sources. The vulnerability affects systems where vmm_sys_utils::fam::FamStructWrapper is used, which typically includes virtual machine management and system-level utilities where memory safety is paramount. This weakness can be particularly dangerous in containerized environments or virtualized systems where memory corruption could lead to escape from isolation boundaries.
The fix implemented in version 0.1.10 addresses the vulnerability by introducing a validation check that compares the lengths of flexible arrays during deserialization and terminates the process if mismatches are detected. This remediation aligns with defensive programming practices and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that all input data is properly validated before memory operations are performed. The solution effectively prevents the out-of-bounds access conditions that previously allowed memory corruption. Organizations using affected versions should immediately upgrade to version 0.1.10 or later to mitigate this risk. The fix demonstrates proper input validation techniques and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it prevents malicious input from causing unintended memory behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous bounds checking in serialization frameworks and underscores the need for comprehensive testing of deserialization paths in security-critical applications.