CVE-2024-0911 in Indent
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2024
A flaw was found in indent, a program for formatting C code. This issue may allow an attacker to trick a user into processing a specially crafted file to trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, causing the application to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0911 resides within the indent utility, a widely used tool for formatting C source code by automatically adjusting indentation and spacing according to standard coding conventions. This utility is commonly employed in development environments and continuous integration pipelines where automated code formatting is essential for maintaining code quality and consistency. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when the program processes specially crafted input files designed to exploit memory handling deficiencies in the code formatting algorithm. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in development tools since they can be leveraged to disrupt normal development workflows or potentially escalate to more severe security consequences when integrated into automated systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the memory allocation and handling routines of the indent utility. When processing malformed input files, the program fails to properly validate the size of data being read or written to heap-allocated buffers, leading to memory corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or application crashes. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The flaw represents a classic example of memory safety issues that continue to plague legacy software systems, particularly those written in C or C++ where manual memory management creates numerous opportunities for such defects to manifest.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0911 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can severely disrupt development processes and compromise system integrity within environments where indent is used extensively. Attackers could potentially craft malicious input files that, when processed by indent, would cause the application to crash and potentially execute unintended code, especially in scenarios where the tool is invoked automatically by build systems or automated code review processes. This vulnerability particularly affects continuous integration environments where code formatting tools are executed as part of automated workflows, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on such infrastructure. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics where attackers trick developers into processing malicious files, or through direct injection into automated pipelines that invoke the indent utility without proper input validation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0911 should focus on immediate patching of the indent utility to address the heap-based buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as input validation and sanitization before processing any files through code formatting tools, particularly in automated environments where untrusted input may be encountered. Additional protective measures include restricting the execution environment of the indent utility to prevent unauthorized file processing, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of development tools used in critical workflows. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through development tools and privilege escalation through application exploitation, making it a significant concern for organizations following the MITRE ATT&CK matrix for threat modeling and defense planning.