Listen to this Post
The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in the Pepper language compiler, version 0.1.1. The flaw exists within the `compiler.c` and `compiler.h` source files. It occurs due to insufficient bounds checking when the compiler processes specific constructs within a Pepper source file (.pr). By crafting malicious source code, an attacker can cause the compiler to write data beyond the allocated boundaries of a heap buffer. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent critical data structures, leading to a crash (Denial of Service) or, more critically, the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the compiler process. The attack complexity is low, requires no privileges, and no user interaction, making it straightforward to exploit if an attacker can provide a malicious file for compilation.
Platform: Pepper language
Version: 0.1.1
Vulnerability: Heap buffer overflow
Severity: High
Date: 2025-12-03
Prediction: 2026-01-27
What Undercode Say:
Check installed Pepper version pepper --version Example malicious compilation attempt pepper compile malicious_source.pr Isolate compilation with container docker run --rm -v $(pwd):/src pepper:0.1.1 compile /src/untrusted.pr
How Exploit:
A public proof-of-concept exploit is available. Attackers craft a Pepper source file (.pr) containing specially designed code to trigger an out-of-bounds write in the heap memory of the compiler process. Successful exploitation can overwrite function pointers or other control data to redirect execution flow.
Protection from this CVE
Avoid untrusted source files.
Sandbox compiler execution.
Restrict compiler access.
Monitor for crashes.
Impact:
Arbitrary code execution.
Denial of Service.
Complete system compromise.
🎯Let’s Practice Exploiting & Learn Patching For Free:
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
