CVE-2024-48957 in libarchive
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2024
execute_filter_audio in archive_read_support_format_rar.c in libarchive before 3.7.5 allows out-of-bounds access via a crafted archive file because src can move beyond dst.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-48957 affects the libarchive library version 3.7.4 and earlier, specifically within the execute_filter_audio function located in archive_read_support_format_rar.c. This issue represents a classic buffer over-read condition that can be exploited through maliciously crafted archive files. The flaw occurs during the processing of RAR format archives where the library fails to properly validate memory boundaries during audio filter execution, creating a scenario where the source pointer can advance beyond the designated destination buffer limits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the audio decompression routine. When processing RAR archives containing specially crafted audio data, the execute_filter_audio function manipulates memory pointers without sufficient validation of the relationship between source and destination buffers. This allows an attacker to control the movement of the source pointer such that it can traverse beyond the allocated destination memory space, potentially leading to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution depending on the memory layout and execution context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of the boundaries of a buffer, and represents a variant of the broader class of out-of-bounds memory access flaws that have been extensively documented in software security literature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or potentially execute malicious code within the context of the application using libarchive. Systems that process untrusted RAR archives, including email servers, file sharing platforms, and content delivery networks, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The exploitability of this flaw is particularly concerning given that RAR archives are commonly used across multiple platforms and applications, making the attack surface wide-ranging. This vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it may enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through the manipulation of archive processing routines. The impact is further amplified by the fact that libarchive is a widely used library in numerous applications, meaning a single vulnerability can affect a large number of systems and services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-48957 primarily focus on upgrading to libarchive version 3.7.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds memory access issue. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems and applications that rely on libarchive to ensure protection against this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for archive files, deploying sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted archives, and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-based defenses can be enhanced through the implementation of content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious RAR files. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of archive processing utilities and monitor for anomalous behavior in systems that handle archive files. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in security-critical libraries and underscores the need for comprehensive testing including fuzzing and formal verification techniques to identify similar issues in software components that handle untrusted data.