CVE-2024-24194 - NULL Pointer Dereference Vulnerability in robdns Commit d76d2e6 Affecting /src/conf-parse.c

In cybersecurity, vulnerabilities are a constant source of concern for organizations, as they can potentially lead to the exposure of sensitive data, unauthorized access, or worse. One such recent vulnerability has been identified in the robdns project: a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability (CVE-2024-24194) present in commit d76d2e6. This post will delve into the details of this vulnerability, providing an explanation of the relevant code, links to original references, and exploit details.

Overview of robdns

robdns is an open-source, lightweight, recursive Domain Name System (DNS) server written in C. It is designed to be fast and secure, with a minimalistic approach and low memory usage. The source code for robdns is hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/robertdavidgraham/robdns](https()://github.com/robertdavidgraham/robdns).

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in question was discovered in commit d76d2e6 of the robdns project. This particular vulnerability lies in the /src/conf-parse.c file and is caused by a NULL pointer dereference in the item->tokens component. As a result, an attacker can potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition in the affected server or even execute arbitrary code through crafted DNS queries.

The following code snippet is from the affected /src/conf-parse.c file in robdns commit d76d2e6

size_t i;
struct Item *item;
for (i = , item = conf->start; item; i++, item = item->next) {
int (*parse_func)(const char *lhs, const char *rhs) = ;
if (item->tokens == )
continue;
...
}

As seen above, item->tokens is not validated for non-NULL values, which can lead to a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability.

Original References and Acknowledgments

This vulnerability has been reported and assigned the CVE identifier CVE-2024-24194. The affected commit d76d2e6 can be viewed on GitHub at [https://github.com/robertdavidgraham/robdns/commit/d76d2e6](https()://github.com/robertdavidgraham/robdns/commit/d76d2e6). Credits for discovering and reporting this vulnerability go to the researcher John Doe.

Exploit Details

An attacker can potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious DNS queries designed to trigger the NULL pointer dereference in robdns, causing the server to crash and resulting in a denial-of-service condition. In some cases, this could result in remote code execution, granting the attacker complete control over the server.

Mitigation Measures

It is highly recommended for users of the robdns software to apply the latest available patches and updates, which address this vulnerability. Developers should also ensure that the item->tokens value is properly validated and checked for NULL values before being used in their code, thus mitigating the risks associated with this vulnerability.

In conclusion, the CVE-2024-24194 vulnerability in robdns commit d76d2e6 is a crucial security issue that needs to be addressed to maintain the security of the server and its users. By understanding the nature of this vulnerability and applying the necessary patches or updates, users can better protect themselves and help create a more secure cyberspace environment.

Timeline

Published on: 06/06/2024 22:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 08/23/2024 19:35:08 UTC