Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Lua 5.1 and 5.2 Packages
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2014-5461: Buffer overflow in the vararg functions in ldo.c in Lua 5.1 through 5.2.x before 5.2.3 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a small number of arguments to a function with a large nu... Affects lua5.1 versions < 5.1.5-7. Fixed in 5.1.5-7. How to fix ↓
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Background
Lua is a powerful, efficient, lightweight scripting language commonly used for embedded systems and game development. The versions 5.1 and 5.2 of Lua are widely utilized in various applications. However, these versions are susceptible to a buffer overflow vulnerability that can lead to denial of service attacks, affecting the stability and security of applications relying on them.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a buffer overflow in the vararg functions within ldo.c of Lua versions 5.1 through 5.2.x prior to 5.2.3. This flaw allows context-dependent attackers to exploit the system by passing a small number of arguments to a function that expects a larger number of fixed arguments. The result can lead to application crashes, compromising the availability of services that depend on Lua.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
5.1.5-7
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade lua5.1Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using functions that rely on vararg parameters until the package is updated. Additionally, validate the number of arguments passed to functions to prevent potential exploitation.
Conclusion
The buffer overflow vulnerability in Lua 5.1 and 5.2 poses significant risks to applications using these versions. It is crucial to update to the patched versions to ensure the security and stability of your systems. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for lua5.1 →
FAQ
A buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and leading to unpredictable behavior or crashes.
Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to denial of service attacks, causing your application to crash and become unavailable to users.
The vulnerability affects Lua versions 5.1 through 5.2.x before version 5.2.3.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider implementing input validation and avoiding the use of vulnerable functions as a temporary measure.
References
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