CVE-2024-4435

BTreeMap memory leak when deallocating nodes with overflows

Published May 21, 2024 CVSS 3.1 · 5.9 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
When storing unbounded types in a BTreeMap, a node is represented as a linked list of "memory chunks". It was discovered recently that when we deallocate a node, in some cases only the first memory chunk is deallocated, and the rest of the memory chunks remain (incorrectly) allocated, causing a memory leak. In the worst case, depending on how a canister uses the BTreeMap, an adversary could interact with the canister through its API and trigger interactions with the map that keep consuming memory due to the memory leak. This could potentially lead to using an excessive amount of memory, or even running out of memory.

This issue has been fixed in #212 https://github.com/dfinity/stable-structures/pull/212  by changing the logic for deallocating nodes to ensure that all of a node's memory chunks are deallocated and users are asked to upgrade to version 0.6.4.. Tests have been added to prevent regressions of this nature moving forward. Note: Users of stable-structure < 0.6.0 are not affected.

Users who are not storing unbounded types in BTreeMap are not affected and do not need to upgrade. Otherwise, an upgrade to version 0.6.4 is necessary.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2024-1394 When storing unbounded types in a BTreeMap, a node is represented as a linked list of "memory chunks". It was discovered recently that when we deallocate a node, in some cases only the first memory chunk is deallocated, and the rest of the memory chunks remain (incorrectly) allocated, causing a memory leak. In the worst case, depending on how a canister uses the BTreeMap, an adversary could interact with the canister through its API and trigger interactions with the map that keep consuming memory due to the memory leak. This could potentially lead to using an excessive amount of memory, or even running out of memory. This issue has been fixed in #212 https://github.com/dfinity/stable-structures/pull/212  by changing the logic for deallocating nodes to ensure that all of a node's memory chunks are deallocated and users are asked to upgrade to version 0.6.4.. Tests have been added to prevent regressions of this nature moving forward. Note: Users of stable-structure < 0.6.0 are not affected. Users who are not storing unbounded types in BTreeMap are not affected and do not need to upgrade. Otherwise, an upgrade to version 0.6.4 is necessary.
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-3rcq-39xp-7xjp ic-stable-structures vulnerable to BTreeMap memory leak when deallocating nodes with overflows
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Dfinity
Dfinity stable Structures
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:dfinity:stable_structures:*:*:*:*:*:rust:*:*
Vendors & Products Dfinity
Dfinity stable Structures
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Dfinity
Published
Updated
Aug 1, 2024, 8:40 PM
Reserved
May 2, 2024, 4:25 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 21, 2024, 10:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 8:01 AM