CVE-2020-18382 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability in /src/wasm/wasm-binary.cpp in wasm::WasmBinaryBuilder::visitBlock(wasm::Block*) in Binaryen 1.38.26. A crafted wasm input can cause a segmentation fault, leading to denial-of-service, as demonstrated by wasm-opt.

Understanding CVE-2020-18382

This CVE identifies a specific heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability in Binaryen 1.38.26 that can be exploited to cause a denial-of-service through a crafted WebAssembly (wasm) input.

What is CVE-2020-18382?

CVE-2020-18382 is a heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability found in the wasm::WasmBinaryBuilder::visitBlock(wasm::Block*) function within Binaryen 1.38.26. By providing a specially crafted wasm input, an attacker can trigger a segmentation fault, potentially leading to a denial-of-service condition.

The Impact of CVE-2020-18382

This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to crash the application or service using Binaryen, resulting in a denial-of-service condition. This could disrupt the availability of the affected system or service.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-18382

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the handling of wasm input in the specific function mentioned, allowing for a heap-buffer-overflow condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Vendor: n/a
Affected Product: n/a
Affected Version: 1.38.26

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by providing a maliciously crafted wasm input to trigger the heap-buffer-overflow, leading to a segmentation fault and potential denial-of-service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Restrict access to vulnerable components to trusted entities only.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity related to wasm inputs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for developers to enhance secure coding practices.
Implement runtime protections to detect and prevent heap-buffer-overflow attacks.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to update Binaryen to a patched version that addresses the heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability to mitigate the risk of exploitation.