CVE-2024-1013 in unixODBC
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
An out-of-bounds stack write flaw was found in unixODBC on 64-bit architectures where the caller has 4 bytes and callee writes 8 bytes. This issue may go unnoticed on little-endian architectures, while big-endian architectures can be broken.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow condition within the unixODBC library that specifically affects 64-bit system architectures. The flaw occurs due to a mismatch in data size expectations between the calling function and the called function, where the caller allocates only 4 bytes of stack space while the callee attempts to write 8 bytes of data. This fundamental mismatch creates an exploitable condition that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the binary interface level where memory management errors can have severe consequences for database connectivity and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic stack buffer overflow pattern that aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows a program to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. In unixODBC's case, the issue manifests when processing database connection strings or parameter bindings where the library expects a 32-bit value but receives or writes a 64-bit value. The architecture-specific nature of this vulnerability means that little-endian systems may not immediately exhibit symptoms due to memory layout differences, while big-endian systems face immediate exploitation risks. This behavior follows the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, as exploitation could involve crafting specific database connection parameters to trigger the overflow condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable remote code execution in scenarios where unixODBC is used to process untrusted database connection data. Applications that rely on unixODBC for database connectivity, including web applications, enterprise software, and database management systems, could be compromised when processing maliciously crafted connection strings or parameters. The vulnerability affects systems running 64-bit architectures and is particularly dangerous in environments where database connectivity is essential for business operations, as it could lead to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks as it could be leveraged in supply chain attacks or targeted intrusions against systems that depend on unixODBC for database operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of unixODBC installations to address the buffer size mismatch and ensure proper bounds checking is implemented. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls around systems that utilize unixODBC to limit potential exploitation vectors. Additionally, monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database connection patterns or parameter usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves adjusting the memory allocation in the calling function to accommodate the 8-byte data writes or implementing proper bounds checking to prevent the overflow condition. System administrators should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability remains unpatched.