CVE-2023-52389 in POCO
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2024
UTF32Encoding.cpp in POCO has a Poco::UTF32Encoding integer overflow and resultant stack buffer overflow because Poco::UTF32Encoding::convert() and Poco::UTF32::queryConvert() may return a negative integer if a UTF-32 byte sequence evaluates to a value of 0x80000000 or higher. This is fixed in 1.11.8p2, 1.12.5p2, and 1.13.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52389 resides within the POCO C++ Libraries' UTF32Encoding.cpp implementation, specifically affecting the Poco::UTF32Encoding class functionality. This issue manifests as an integer overflow condition that ultimately leads to a stack buffer overflow, creating a significant security risk for applications utilizing the POCO library for text processing operations. The flaw occurs during UTF-32 character set conversion processes where the library fails to properly validate input sequences, particularly when encountering high-value Unicode code points exceeding 0x80000000.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the convert() and queryConvert() methods within the Poco::UTF32Encoding class which do not adequately handle edge cases involving large Unicode values. When processing UTF-32 byte sequences that evaluate to values of 0x80000000 or higher, these methods return negative integers instead of proper error codes or valid conversion results. This negative return value subsequently triggers an integer overflow condition in the surrounding buffer allocation logic, causing the stack buffer to be allocated with insufficient memory space to accommodate the intended data. The CWE-190 classification applies here as this represents an integer overflow vulnerability where the overflow results in a buffer overflow condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential exploitation vectors for remote code execution attacks. An attacker could craft malicious UTF-32 input sequences that, when processed by vulnerable applications, would trigger the integer overflow and subsequent buffer overflow conditions. This allows for arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that depend on POCO libraries for network communication, file processing, and text handling operations, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these libraries are commonly used.
The fix implemented in POCO versions 1.11.8p2, 1.12.5p2, and 1.13.0 addresses the issue through proper input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms. These updates ensure that the convert() and queryConvert() methods correctly handle edge cases involving large Unicode values by implementing appropriate bounds checking and error handling procedures. The solution follows established security practices for preventing integer overflows and buffer overflows as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where proper input validation prevents exploitation of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should immediately upgrade to these patched versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability represents a critical security threat that could be leveraged for unauthorized access and system compromise in environments where POCO libraries are deployed.