Integer Overflow Vulnerability in GRUB2 Package Leading to Potential Data Breach
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-45776: When reading the language .mo file in grub_mofile_open(), grub2 fails to verify an integer overflow when allocating its internal buffer. Affects grub2 versions < 2.12-6. Fixed in 2.12-6. How to fix ↓
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Background
GRUB2 is a widely used bootloader for various operating systems, including Linux distributions. It is responsible for loading the operating system kernel and managing the boot process. GRUB2 supports multiple file systems and can handle complex boot configurations. However, it has been found vulnerable to an integer overflow issue when processing language .mo files, which could lead to severe security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises in the function grub_mofile_open() within GRUB2, where the software fails to properly validate the size of an internal buffer during the allocation process. This oversight allows a crafted .mo file to manipulate the buffer size calculation, resulting in an integer overflow. Consequently, this can lead to out-of-bounds reads and writes, potentially allowing an attacker to leak sensitive information or overwrite critical data. Such exploitation could also enable circumvention of secure boot protections, posing a significant threat to system integrity.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.12-6
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade grub2Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users are advised to avoid using untrusted .mo files until the package is updated. Additionally, implementing strict file permissions and monitoring file integrity can help mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The integer overflow vulnerability in the GRUB2 package poses a significant risk to system security, allowing potential data breaches and manipulation. It is crucial for users to update to the patched version to safeguard their systems. Implementing workarounds and monitoring for vulnerabilities can further enhance security until the update is applied.
See every vulnerability recorded for grub2 →
FAQ
The vulnerability is an integer overflow issue that occurs when GRUB2 processes language .mo files, potentially leading to out-of-bounds memory access.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to leak sensitive data or overwrite critical system data, compromising system security.
Yes, a patch is available in version 2.12-6 of the GRUB2 package. Users should update to this version or later to mitigate the risk.
If immediate updating is not possible, avoid using untrusted .mo files and implement strict file permissions to limit exposure.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using a manifest file like package-lock.json. You can also check your application for this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for grub2.
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