CVE-2006-2362 in Binutils
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in getsym in tekhex.c in libbfd in Free Software Foundation GNU Binutils before 20060423, as used by GNU strings, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a file with a crafted Tektronix Hex Format (TekHex) record in which the length character is not a valid hexadecimal character.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2362 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the GNU Binutils library, specifically in the getsym function located in the tekhex.c file. This flaw affects the GNU strings utility and other tools that rely on the Binary File Descriptor library for processing binary files. The vulnerability manifests when processing Tektronix Hex Format files, which are commonly used for storing binary data in a text-based format. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking in the parsing logic that handles hexadecimal length characters within TekHex records. When an attacker crafts a malicious file containing a TekHex record with an invalid hexadecimal length character, the application fails to properly validate the input before attempting to process it, leading to memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the getsym function's failure to properly validate the length field of TekHex records before using it to determine buffer allocation or processing parameters. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition where the program does not properly check the size of input data against the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability is context-dependent because it requires specific conditions to be met for exploitation to occur, including the presence of a crafted TekHex file that can be processed by the affected GNU Binutils utilities. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where the application assumes valid hexadecimal characters without proper validation, allowing malicious data to bypass normal bounds checking mechanisms that would otherwise prevent memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling arbitrary code execution in certain circumstances. When the buffer overflow occurs during processing of the malformed TekHex record, it can corrupt adjacent memory locations, leading to application crashes or unpredictable behavior. In more severe cases, attackers may be able to manipulate the program execution flow by overwriting return addresses or other critical memory structures, particularly when the overflow occurs in a manner that allows for controlled memory corruption. The vulnerability affects a wide range of GNU Binutils tools that depend on libbfd for file format processing, making it a significant concern for systems that process untrusted binary data. The attack vector requires the victim to process a specifically crafted file, making this a targeted vulnerability that relies on social engineering or automated processing of untrusted content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming practices. The primary solution involves updating to GNU Binutils versions released after April 23, 2006, which contain the necessary fixes to properly validate hexadecimal length characters in TekHex records. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and bounds checking for all binary format parsers, particularly those handling legacy or specialized file formats. The remediation process should include regular security assessments of binary processing utilities and implementation of proper error handling for malformed input data. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing or restricted execution environments for utilities that process binary files, following ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The vulnerability highlights the importance of defensive programming practices and proper resource management in security-critical software components, particularly in libraries that form the foundation for numerous system utilities and development tools.