CVE-2018-17071 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In the Lucky9io Ethereum gambling game, a basic smart contract has been designed to implement a fallback function for the lottery. This function is responsible for generating a random value, which is stored in a publicly readable variable called entry_number. Although this variable is intended to be kept private, it can still be accessed using the eth.getStorageAt function. Additionally, due to a mistake made by the developer, attackers are able to exploit the system by purchasing a ticket at a low cost through the fallback function with a small msg.value. Consequently, this vulnerability allows attackers to consistently win and receive rewards.

Understanding CVE-2018-17071

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of CVE-2018-17071.

What is CVE-2018-17071?

The vulnerability in the Lucky9io Ethereum gambling game allows attackers to manipulate the system by exploiting the smart contract's fallback function, enabling them to consistently win and receive rewards.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17071

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows malicious actors to exploit the system and gain unfair advantages in the gambling game, potentially leading to financial losses for legitimate users.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17071

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the incorrect implementation of the fallback function in the smart contract, enabling attackers to bypass the intended security measures and manipulate the random value generation process.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the system by purchasing a ticket at a low cost through the fallback function with a small msg.value.
The developer's mistake in setting the currency unit incorrectly facilitates this exploitation, allowing attackers to consistently win and receive rewards.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-17071 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Audit and update the smart contract code to ensure proper implementation of security measures.
Monitor transactions for any suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate developers on secure coding practices and the importance of thorough testing to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Implement patches or updates provided by the developer to fix the vulnerability and enhance the security of the smart contract.