CVE-2024-31755 in cJSON
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2024
cJSON v1.7.17 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation, which can trigger through the second parameter of function cJSON_SetValuestring at cJSON.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-31755 affects cJSON version 1.7.17 and represents a critical segmentation fault condition that arises from improper handling of input parameters within the cJSON_SetValuestring function. This issue demonstrates a classic buffer over-read or memory corruption flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the second parameter of the cJSON_SetValuestring function receives malformed or unexpected input, creating a scenario where the application attempts to access memory locations that are either invalid or unauthorized. The flaw resides in the cJSON library's string handling mechanism, which fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameter before processing it, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory access patterns through crafted JSON payloads.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read errors. The operational impact of this flaw extends beyond simple memory corruption as it can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including denial of service attacks, privilege escalation, or remote code execution depending on the system context. When exploited, the segmentation fault can cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because cJSON is widely used across numerous applications and systems for JSON parsing and manipulation, making the potential attack surface extensive. This flaw represents a failure in input validation and memory management within the library's string handling routines, where proper bounds checking and parameter validation are absent or insufficient.
The exploitation of CVE-2024-31755 follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, where attackers can manipulate JSON data structures to trigger the memory corruption. This vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK tactic of Execution, as successful exploitation may lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted JSON data to an application that utilizes the vulnerable cJSON library, where the second parameter of cJSON_SetValuestring is manipulated to cause the segmentation fault. System administrators and developers should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability as it can be exploited in web applications, APIs, and any system that processes external JSON input. The flaw's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of cJSON across various software platforms, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through JSON-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-31755 should include immediate patching of the cJSON library to version 1.7.18 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory handling issues. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications that utilize the vulnerable library version, implementing network segmentation and input validation measures to reduce attack surface. Additionally, developers should implement proper parameter validation in their applications, ensuring that all JSON input is sanitized before being processed by cJSON functions. The implementation of address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and other exploit mitigations can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on memory management and input validation practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.