CVE-2024-27508: Memory Leak Vulnerability in Atheme 7.2.12: Crypto Benchmark

Hello, security enthusiasts! Today, we're taking a deep dive into a newly discovered vulnerability that has been assigned the CVE number CVE-2024-27508. This memory leak vulnerability affects the Atheme IRC Services 7.2.12, specifically in the /atheme/src/crypto-benchmark/main.c file. In this post, we'll explore the details of the vulnerability, including a code snippet highlighting the issue and links to original sources. So, get your C programming hats on and let's dive in!

Vulnerability Overview

Atheme IRC Services is an advanced IRC services package that is highly extensible and portable. Before we go any further, you can learn more about the project on its GitHub repository here: https://github.com/atheme/atheme

The vulnerability, CVE-2024-27508, is a memory leak issue that was discovered in the crypto-benchmark tool, which is part of the Atheme 7.2.12 software package. The source file main.c within the /atheme/src/crypto-benchmark/ directory contains the flaw.

Memory leaks are a type of security issue where a program does not release the memory it has allocated, leading to a steady increase in resource usage over time. This may eventually cause a system to crash or become unresponsive. In this specific case, the memory leak in the crypto-benchmark tool can cause the software to become unstable and pose a potential security risk for users.

Code Snippet

Let's take a closer look at the vulnerable code in question. The following code snippet is taken from /atheme/src/crypto-benchmark/main.c:

#include "benchmark.h"

#include <atheme.h>
#include <atheme/crypto.h>

#define BENCH_FILE "benchkeys"
#define BENCH_STRING "benchmark\n"

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
    // Initialize crypto libraries
    atheme_crypto_init();

    // Perform benchmark tests
    crypto_benchmark(BENCH_FILE, BENCH_STRING);

    // Cleanup
    remove(BENCH_FILE);

    return ;
}

As you can see, the main function initializes the crypto library, performs a benchmark test, and removes the temporary benchmark key file before exiting.

The memory leak vulnerability stems from the fact that the atheme_crypto_init(); and crypto_benchmark() functions allocate memory for their respective operations but never release it before the program terminates.

Exploit Details

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker may repeatedly run the crypto-benchmark tool, causing a steady increase in resource usage. This could lead to Denial of Service (DoS) conditions, causing the Atheme IRC Services to become unstable or unresponsive.

To mitigate this issue, developers should ensure that all memory allocations are properly released before the program exits. This can be done by including the appropriate memory deallocation calls in the main function, such as atheme_crypto_deinit();.

Until a patch is released by the Atheme development team, users are recommended to exercise caution while utilizing the crypto-benchmark component of the software.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-27508 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Atheme 7.2.12 package that affects crypto-benchmark/main.c. The flaw could be exploited by attackers to cause instability or unresponsiveness in the Atheme IRC Services. It is important to stay vigilant and be aware of the risks associated with using vulnerable software components.

If you want to keep up with the latest developments on this vulnerability, you can refer to the Atheme GitHub repository and the CVE details at the following links:

- Atheme GitHub repository: https://github.com/atheme/atheme
- CVE details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-27508

Timeline

Published on: 02/27/2024 16:15:47 UTC
Last modified on: 08/29/2024 20:36:28 UTC