CVE-2024-40897: Stack-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in ORC Versions Prior to .4.39

A critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in the orcparse.c file of the Object Runtime C (ORC) compiler (versions up to, and including .4.38). This vulnerability, designated as CVE-2024-40897, allows for the execution of arbitrary code on the developer's build environment, potentially leading to severe security breaches on both local machines and Continuous Integration (CI) systems.

Background

ORC is an open-source compiler for data manipulation and SIMD applications. It helps in optimizing the performance of multimedia processing, signal processing, and numerical computation systems. ORC gained widespread attention and usage in various projects due to its high-performance capabilities.

Vulnerability

The CVE-2024-40897 vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow in the orcparse.c file of ORC versions up to .4.38. The vulnerability may be exploited when a developer encounters a specially crafted file and attempts to process it with the affected ORC compiler.

When the ORC compiler processes a malicious file, it may cause a buffer overflow by writing more data than the stack can hold. This overflow results in the execution of arbitrary code, which an attacker may use to compromise the developer's machine or the CI build environment.

Here is a code snippet which demonstrates the vulnerable function in the affected orcparse.c file

void
parse_opcode (OrcCompiler *compiler, char *opcode)
{
  char *p;
  int i;
  
  p = strtok(opcode, ", ");
  strncpy(compiler->opcode, p, sizeof(compiler->opcode));
  compiler->opcode[sizeof(compiler->opcode) - 1] = '\';
  // ...continued
}

For an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, the following conditions must be met

1. The attacker creates a specially crafted file containing malicious codes to take advantage of the vulnerable function.
2. The developer processes the crafted file using a vulnerable version of the ORC compiler (up to and including .4.38).

Once these conditions are met, arbitrary code execution may take place on the developer's build environment, leading to the compromise of their machines or CI environments.

Mitigation

The developers behind the ORC compiler have released version .4.39 which fixes this vulnerability. Users are advised to update their ORC compiler to the latest version to protect their build environments from this security risk.

Here is a link to the official patch that fixes the vulnerability in the orcparse.c file: ORC Patch.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-40897 is a critical security vulnerability that may lead to severe consequences for developers using the ORC compiler. Developers should upgrade to the latest ORC version (.4.39) to mitigate this risk. Additionally, it is essential to practice good security hygiene by not processing untrusted files using the ORC compiler.

Timeline

Published on: 07/26/2024 06:15:02 UTC
Last modified on: 08/27/2024 13:52:53 UTC