Stack-based buffer overflow in PCRE

1) Stack-based buffer overflow

EUVDB-ID: #VU32304

Risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.5 [AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-3191

CWE-ID: CWE-121 - Stack-based buffer overflow

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the compile_branch function in pcre_compile.c in PCRE 8.x before 8.39 and pcre2_compile.c in PCRE2 before 10.22 mishandles patterns containing an (*ACCEPT) substring when processing a crafted regular expression, as demonstrated by a JavaScript RegExp object encountered by Konqueror, aka ZDI-CAN-3542. A remote unauthenticated attacker can trigger stack-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Update to version 8.39.

Vulnerable software versions

PCRE: 8.00 - 8.38

External links

http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1025.html
http://vcs.pcre.org/pcre?view=revision&revision=1631
http://vcs.pcre.org/pcre2?view=revision&revision=489
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinapr2016-2952096.html
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/84810
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1023886
http://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016:1132
http://bto.bluecoat.com/security-advisory/sa128
http://bugs.debian.org/815920
http://bugs.debian.org/815921
http://bugs.exim.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1791
http://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1311503
http://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-18

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.