CVE-2018-9838 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability exists in the caml_ba_deserialize function in byterun/bigarray.c of the OCaml standard library version 4.06.0. This vulnerability involves an integer overflow which, when untrusted marshalled data is received, can be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or potentially execute arbitrary code. An attacker can accomplish this by providing a specially crafted object.

Understanding CVE-2018-9838

This CVE entry describes a critical vulnerability in the OCaml standard library that can lead to memory corruption or arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2018-9838?

The vulnerability in the caml_ba_deserialize function of OCaml 4.06.0 allows remote attackers to exploit an integer overflow, potentially resulting in a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2018-9838

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences, including memory corruption and unauthorized code execution on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-9838

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The caml_ba_deserialize function in byterun/bigarray.c of OCaml 4.06.0 suffers from an integer overflow issue, enabling attackers to trigger memory corruption or execute malicious code through specially crafted objects.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: OCaml standard library version 4.06.0
Affected Versions: All versions prior to the patched release

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers who provide manipulated objects to the caml_ba_deserialize function, triggering the integer overflow and subsequent memory corruption or code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-9838 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the official patch provided by OCaml to address the vulnerability.
Avoid accepting untrusted marshalled data from external or unverified sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement strict input validation mechanisms to sanitize incoming data and prevent exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running OCaml are updated to the latest version that includes the security patch for CVE-2018-9838.