CVE-2017-20225

TiEmu · TiEmu (TI Emulator)

TiEmu 2.08 and prior is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow via command-line arguments, allowing for arbitrary code execution using ROP gadgets.

Executive summary

TiEmu 2.08 and prior contains a critical stack-based buffer overflow that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting inadequate boundary checks on command-line input.

Vulnerability

The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of user-supplied command-line arguments. An attacker can trigger an unauthenticated overflow by passing malicious arguments, leveraging ROP gadgets to bypass system protections and execute arbitrary shellcode.

Business impact

Successful exploitation results in the execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the emulator. This could lead to data theft or further exploitation of the local network. The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the high impact of the code execution flaw.

Remediation

Immediate Action: Update TiEmu to a version later than 2.08 or apply vendor-provided patches immediately.

Proactive Monitoring: Monitor for anomalous command-line arguments passed to emulator processes and review system logs for unauthorized shell spawns.

Compensating Controls: Restrict the execution of TiEmu to non-privileged user accounts and utilize AppLocker or similar tools to control application behavior.

Exploitation status

Public Exploit Available: false

Analyst recommendation

Users of TiEmu should immediately verify their version and update to a patched release. In environments where this software is used for academic or engineering purposes, strict application control policies should be enforced to mitigate the risk of local exploitation.