libbiosig: Double Free
CVE-2024-23809 is a critical-severity double free vulnerability in libbiosig from The Biosig Project, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected libbiosig versions: 2.5.0; Master Branch (ab0ee111). The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.68% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 77% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of libbiosig you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Biosig Project | libbiosig | 2.5.0; Master Branch (ab0ee111) | Not stated |
| Fedora Project | fedora | 40 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A double-free vulnerability exists in the BrainVision ASCII Header Parsing functionality of The Biosig Project libbiosig 2.5.0 and Master Branch (ab0ee111). A specially crafted .vdhr file can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Double Free
The product calls free() twice on the same memory address.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- Ensure that each allocation is freed only once. After freeing a chunk, set the pointer to NULL to ensure the pointer cannot be freed again. In complicated error conditions, be sure that clean-up routines respect the state of allocation properly. If the language is object oriented, ensure that object destructors delete each chunk of memory only once.
- Use a static analysis tool to find double free instances.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/OIRLGNQM33KAWVWP5RPMAP…Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2024-1919Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in libbiosig
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Double Free vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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