How the Mentioned CVE Works:
CVE-2025-001 targets the IBC-Go package within the Cosmos SDK ecosystem. The vulnerability arises from non-deterministic JSON unmarshalling of IBC Acknowledgements. During the processing of IBC packets, acknowledgements are unmarshalled in a way that can lead to inconsistent state interpretations across nodes. This inconsistency can cause a chain halt, as nodes may fail to reach consensus due to differing views of the blockchain state. The issue is critical because it disrupts the core functionality of the blockchain, rendering it inoperable until resolved.
CVE-2025-002 affects the Cosmos SDK’s `x/group` module. When an error occurs in the `EndBlocker` function, the chain can halt abruptly. This is due to improper error handling, which prevents the chain from progressing to the next block. Both vulnerabilities highlight the importance of deterministic behavior and robust error handling in blockchain systems.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Cosmos SDK
Version: Pre-v3.1.8
Vulnerability: Chain Halt
Severity: Critical
Date: 2025-01-01
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
1. Exploit Code:
An attacker could craft malicious IBC packets with non-deterministic JSON acknowledgements to trigger the vulnerability.
maliciousPacket := IBCPacket{
Data: []byte(<code>{"non_deterministic_field": "value"}</code>),
Acknowledgement: []byte(<code>{"inconsistent": "data"}</code>),
}
SendPacket(maliciousPacket)
2. Testing for Vulnerability:
Use a custom testnet to simulate non-deterministic unmarshalling:
cosmos-sdk-testnet --chain-id testnet --unsafe-skip-upgrades
3. Exploit Impact:
Chain halts, preventing block production and transaction processing.
Protection:
1. Patch Application:
Upgrade to `cheqd-node v3.1.8` or later:
git clone https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk cd cosmos-sdk git checkout v3.1.8 make install
2. Validation Script:
Ensure deterministic JSON unmarshalling:
func ValidateAcknowledgement(ack []byte) error {
var data map[bash]interface{}
if err := json.Unmarshal(ack, &data); err != nil {
return err
}
// Add validation logic
return nil
}
3. Monitoring:
Use monitoring tools to detect chain halts:
cosmos-monitor --chain-id mainnet --alert-on-halt
4. Error Handling:
Improve `EndBlocker` error handling in `x/group`:
func EndBlocker(ctx sdk.Context, k keeper.Keeper) {
defer func() {
if r := recover(); r != nil {
log.Error("EndBlocker panic recovered: ", r)
}
}()
// Existing logic
}
5. References:
- bash
- bash
By following these steps, validators and node operators can mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities and ensure the stability of their blockchain networks.
References:
Reported By: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h2rp-8vpx-q9r4
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
