CVE-2021-38714
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-38714 is an integer overflow vulnerability in Plib's ssgLoadTGA() function that can lead to arbitrary code execution when processing malicious TGA image files. This affects applications using Plib through version 1.85 for 3D graphics and game development. Attackers could exploit this by tricking users or systems into loading specially crafted TGA files.
💻 Affected Systems
- Plib
📦 What is this software?
Extra Packages For Enterprise Linux by Fedoraproject
View all CVEs affecting Extra Packages For Enterprise Linux →
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Plib by Plib Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with remote code execution leading to complete control of affected systems, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within the application context, potentially leading to further privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
Application crash without code execution if memory protections like ASLR are effective, but denial of service still occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires crafting a malicious TGA file and getting it loaded by vulnerable software. No public exploit code has been documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.85 (development versions)
Vendor Advisory: https://sourceforge.net/p/plib/bugs/55/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check if your system uses Plib via package manager or compiled software. 2. For Linux distributions, apply security updates via apt/yum/dnf. 3. For custom software, recompile with patched Plib version. 4. Restart affected applications.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable TGA file loading
allModify applications to avoid using ssgLoadTGA() function or disable TGA file support
# Requires application source code modification
# Remove or comment out calls to ssgLoadTGA()
Input validation for TGA files
allImplement strict validation of TGA file headers before processing
# Custom validation code needed before calling ssgLoadTGA()
# Validate width, height, and image size fields
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Network segmentation to isolate systems using Plib
- Implement strict file upload controls and scanning for TGA files
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Plib version: dpkg -l | grep plib or rpm -qa | grep plib. If version <= 1.85 and application uses TGA loading, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
pkg-config --modversion plib or check library version in /usr/include/plib/version.hVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Plib version > 1.85 and test TGA file loading functionality in applications.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes when loading TGA files
- Memory access violation errors in application logs
- Unexpected process termination
Network Indicators:
- Unusual TGA file transfers to systems running Plib applications
- Network traffic spikes during file processing
SIEM Query:
Process: (plib OR application_name) AND Event: (crash OR segmentation_fault) AND File: (*.tga)🔗 References
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00000.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7HT3BKNAXLDY246UPUNRSBPGGVANRDOU/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/OTVSAKNCEYVMVAURQSB5GNA2MWL4XDPH/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/U5SML6W6Z2B6THT76VPUKUFYQJABODFU/
- https://sourceforge.net/p/plib/bugs/55/
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00000.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7HT3BKNAXLDY246UPUNRSBPGGVANRDOU/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/OTVSAKNCEYVMVAURQSB5GNA2MWL4XDPH/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/U5SML6W6Z2B6THT76VPUKUFYQJABODFU/
- https://sourceforge.net/p/plib/bugs/55/
