CVE-2021-21827CWE-120

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the XML Decompression DecodeTreeBlock functionality of AT&T Labs Xmill 0.7

High · published August 20, 2021

CVSS v3.0
8.1
EPSS
1%
Percentile
66.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ A heap-based buffer overflow lurking in AT&T Labs Xmill 0.7 could turn a harmless XML file into a malicious weapon! Think of this vulnerability like a restaurant that trusts a customer to fill their own plate from the buffet without checking the size of their dish—if they take too much, it spills everywhere! An attacker could exploit this flaw to overwrite memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. It’s a recipe for chaos, allowing an intruder to gain control over the affected system, which could be absolutely devastating for any data on board!

Put simply

Think of this vulnerability like a restaurant that trusts a customer to fill their own plate from the buffet without checking the size of their dish—if they take too much, it spills everywhere! This vulnerability arises in the XML Decompression `DecodeTreeBlock`, where an attacker can manipulate the UINT32 value that indicates the buffer length, causing a buffer overflow during decompression.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this flaw to overwrite memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. It’s a recipe for chaos, allowing an intruder to gain control over the affected system, which could be absolutely devastating for any data on board! To protect against this vulnerability, upgrade to a patched version of Xmill if available. Additionally, validate the input sizes rigorously to ensure they are within safe limits before processing any data files. You've got this! With the right steps, you'll turn this potential threat into history! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.0
8.1 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01136 · 66.2th percentile
Weakness
CWE-120 · Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
Published
2021-08-20T21:03Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 20 AUG 21:03Z
    A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the XML Decompression DecodeTreeBlock functionality of AT&T Labs Xmill 0.7
    cvelistv5