CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-3203NVD status: Analyzed

c-blosc2: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-3203 is a critical-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in c-blosc2, 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 c-blosc2 versions: 2.13.0; 2.13.1; 2.13.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.36% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 72% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of c-blosc2 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
C-blosc2c-blosc22.13.0; 2.13.1; 2.13.2Not 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 NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.3HighCNA (vuldb.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 2.07.5HighCNA (vuldb.com)

Official description

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in c-blosc2 up to 2.13.2. Affected is the function ndlz8_decompress of the file /src/c-blosc2/plugins/codecs/ndlz/ndlz8x8.c. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 2.14.3 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-259050 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.

More Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-122)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in c-blosc2

All c-blosc2 vulnerabilities

Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.