Buffer overflow in NetHack

1) Buffer overflow

EUVDB-ID: #VU30335

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-5254

CWE-ID: CWE-119 - Memory corruption

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

In NetHack before 3.6.6, some out-of-bound values for the hilite_status option can be exploited. NetHack 3.6.6 resolves this issue.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

NetHack: 3.6.1 - 3.6.5

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:the_nethack_devteam:nethack:3.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:the_nethack_devteam:nethack:3.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:the_nethack_devteam:nethack:3.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/security/advisories/GHSA-2ch6-6r8h-m2p9

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

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

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to trick the victim to open a a specially crafted file.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.