CVE-2024-57261 in Barebox
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2025
In barebox before 2025.01.0, request2size in common/dlmalloc.c has an integer overflow, a related issue to CVE-2024-57258.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-57261 affects the barebox bootloader software version prior to 2025.01.0, specifically within the common/dlmalloc.c component where the request2size function exhibits an integer overflow condition. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially be exploited to compromise the integrity and stability of embedded systems relying on this bootloader. The issue is categorized under CWE-190, which denotes integer overflow conditions that can lead to unexpected behavior and potential exploitation. Integer overflows occur when an arithmetic operation attempts to create a result that exceeds the maximum value representable within the allocated storage space, often resulting in wraparound behavior that can be leveraged by attackers to manipulate program execution flow.
The technical implementation of the request2size function in the dlmalloc memory allocator demonstrates the vulnerability through improper handling of memory request sizes that exceed the maximum representable integer value. When an attacker provides a carefully crafted memory request that triggers the integer overflow, the resulting value may be significantly smaller than expected, potentially allowing for buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This vulnerability operates at the memory management layer of the bootloader, which is particularly concerning given that barebox serves as a foundational component in embedded systems and IoT devices. The integer overflow condition can be exploited through memory allocation requests that bypass normal validation checks, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate heap memory structures or cause denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-57261 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attack vectors within the embedded environment where barebox operates. Systems utilizing affected versions may experience unauthorized memory access, data corruption, or complete system compromise depending on how the memory allocator is utilized within the bootloader's operation. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2024-57258 indicates a pattern of memory management flaws within the same codebase, suggesting that similar vulnerabilities may exist in other components of the dlmalloc implementation. This interconnected nature of the vulnerabilities increases the overall risk profile and requires comprehensive remediation efforts across the entire memory management subsystem.
Security practitioners should prioritize the immediate deployment of patches or updates to barebox versions prior to 2025.01.0 to address this integer overflow vulnerability. The remediation strategy should include validating all memory request sizes within the request2size function to prevent overflow conditions, implementing proper bounds checking, and ensuring that integer arithmetic operations are protected against overflow scenarios. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their embedded systems to identify potential exploitation paths that may leverage this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such vulnerabilities under T1059.007 for application layer execution and T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service, highlighting the potential for both code execution and system availability compromise. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in embedded bootloader environments.