Source: cve@mitre.org
An issue was discovered in the simple-slab crate before 0.3.3 for Rust. index() allows an out-of-bounds read.
Critical vulnerability exists in the simple-slab crate for Rust, allowing for an out-of-bounds read. This flaw can lead to the disclosure of sensitive information or potentially remote code execution if chained with other vulnerabilities, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of affected systems.
Step 1: Target Identification: The attacker identifies systems utilizing the vulnerable simple-slab crate (versions before 0.3.3).
Step 2: Input Manipulation: The attacker crafts a malicious input that triggers the index() function with an out-of-bounds index value.
Step 3: Vulnerability Trigger: The crafted input is processed by the vulnerable code, causing the index() function to access memory outside the allocated slab.
Step 4: Information Disclosure: The attacker successfully reads the contents of the out-of-bounds memory location, potentially revealing sensitive data.
Step 5: (Optional) Chaining: The attacker might attempt to chain this vulnerability with other vulnerabilities to achieve more significant impact, such as remote code execution (RCE).
The vulnerability stems from an unchecked index access within the index() function of the simple-slab crate. The function fails to properly validate the provided index against the allocated slab's bounds. This leads to an out-of-bounds read, allowing an attacker to access memory outside the intended allocation. The root cause is a missing or inadequate bounds check before accessing memory, a classic example of an integer overflow or off-by-one error vulnerability. This allows an attacker to read arbitrary memory, potentially revealing sensitive data like cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential information. The impact is dependent on the data stored in the adjacent memory regions.
No specific APT groups or malware families are directly linked to the exploitation of this vulnerability at this time. However, due to the nature of the vulnerability (information disclosure), it could be leveraged by any threat actor seeking to gather intelligence or prepare for further attacks. Not listed on CISA KEV.
Monitor application logs for unusual memory access patterns or errors related to the simple-slab crate.
Implement memory safety checks and fuzzing during development and testing.
Analyze crash dumps or core files for evidence of out-of-bounds reads.
Use static analysis tools to identify potential memory access violations in the codebase.
Network traffic analysis may not directly reveal exploitation, but unusual data exfiltration patterns could be indicative of a successful attack.
Upgrade the simple-slab crate to version 0.3.3 or later.
Review the codebase for other instances of unchecked index access or memory access vulnerabilities.
Implement robust input validation to prevent out-of-bounds access.
Employ memory safety features provided by the Rust compiler, such as bounds checking.
Regularly update dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct thorough security audits and penetration testing.