CVE-2023-40305

What it actually does

Heap-based buffer overflow in search_brace function of indent.c triggered by a crafted input file, resulting in memory corruption and potential denial of service.

Why it matters to the business

Crashes the code formatting tool when handling malicious files, disrupting development workflows and automated build processes that depend on GNU indent.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker creates a malicious source file that overflows the heap buffer inside search_brace; when the file is processed by indent the overflow occurs, causing a crash or memory corruption that may be leveraged for further attacks.

How to fix it

Upgrade to a patched version of GNU indent once released; process only trusted input files until a fix is available.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm GNU indent version is updated; test with known trigger files to verify absence of crashes.

Typical attack path

1. Craft a malicious input file targeting the search_brace buffer
2. Invoke GNU indent against the crafted file
3. Trigger the heap overflow leading to application crash or memory corruption

How to detect it

Monitor system and application logs for segmentation faults or crashes involving the indent process when processing source files.

What your security team should do

• Restrict GNU indent to trusted files only
• Monitor upstream for security updates and apply them promptly
• Evaluate alternative formatting tools if no patch becomes available