CVE-2018-13712 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability in the mintToken function of a smart contract implementation for PMET, an Ethereum token, allows the contract owner to manipulate user balances through an integer overflow.

Understanding CVE-2018-13712

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability affecting the PMET Ethereum token smart contract.

What is CVE-2018-13712?

The mintToken function in the PMET smart contract has an integer overflow issue that grants the contract owner unauthorized access to alter any user's balance.

The Impact of CVE-2018-13712

The vulnerability enables malicious manipulation of user balances by the contract owner, potentially leading to financial losses and trust issues within the Ethereum token ecosystem.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-13712

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The mintToken function's integer overflow in the PMET smart contract allows the contract owner to set any user's balance to a chosen value, compromising the integrity of the token system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: PMET Ethereum token
Affected Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited through an integer overflow in the mintToken function, granting the contract owner unauthorized control over user balances.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2018-13712.

Immediate Steps to Take

Audit smart contracts for integer overflow vulnerabilities regularly.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent unauthorized balance manipulation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and rectify vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure smart contract development practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by the PMET smart contract developers to address the integer overflow vulnerability.