CVE-2023-45929 in S-Lang
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
S-Lang 2.3.2 was discovered to contain a segmentation fault via the function fixup_tgetstr().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45929 affects S-Lang version 2.3.2 and stems from a segmentation fault occurring within the fixup_tgetstr() function. This issue represents a critical memory safety flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes when the affected library processes certain input data. The S-Lang library serves as a multi-platform library for terminal handling and text processing, making it a fundamental component in many terminal-based applications and systems. The segmentation fault arises from improper memory management within the terminal capability string processing functionality, specifically when handling terminal description strings obtained through the tgetstr() function.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the fixup_tgetstr() function's inadequate bounds checking and memory allocation handling when processing terminal capability strings. This function is responsible for parsing and validating terminal description strings that define terminal capabilities and features. When malformed or specially crafted input data is processed through this function, it can trigger memory corruption that manifests as a segmentation fault. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue, where the function fails to properly validate input length or handle edge cases in terminal capability string parsing. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which represent serious memory safety concerns that can lead to privilege escalation or remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-45929 extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of S-Lang. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because S-Lang is widely used in terminal-based applications, system administration tools, and network utilities that may be exposed to untrusted input. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw by providing malicious terminal description strings through various attack vectors, including network services, command-line interfaces, or configuration files that utilize S-Lang for terminal handling. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is further amplified by its location within a core library function that is frequently called during terminal interaction scenarios, making it an attractive target for both local and remote attackers. This issue falls under ATT&CK technique T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as it enables code execution through terminal interaction points that may be leveraged by attackers to establish persistence or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45929 should prioritize immediate patching of the S-Lang library to version 2.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory corruption issues in the fixup_tgetstr() function. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable S-Lang versions and implement remediation procedures accordingly. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls for terminal capability strings, monitoring for unusual segmentation fault occurrences, and applying runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries. Organizations should also consider restricting access to terminal handling functions and implementing least privilege principles for applications that utilize S-Lang, particularly those handling untrusted input from external sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and conducting regular security assessments of core system components that handle terminal interaction and input processing.