CVE-2014-8738 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The _bfd_slurp_extended_name_table function in bfd/archive.c in GNU binutils 2.24 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write, segmentation fault, and crash) via a crafted extended name table in an archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8738 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the GNU binutils suite, specifically affecting the _bfd_slurp_extended_name_table function located in bfd/archive.c. This issue manifests when processing archive files containing maliciously crafted extended name tables, creating a condition where remote attackers can manipulate the software to execute invalid memory writes that ultimately result in segmentation faults and system crashes. The vulnerability impacts all versions of GNU binutils up to and including version 2.24, making it a widespread concern for systems that utilize these tools for binary file manipulation and analysis.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the archive processing functionality of binutils. When the _bfd_slurp_extended_name_table function encounters an archive file with malformed extended name table data, it fails to properly bounds-check the data structures before attempting to write to memory locations. This primitive memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific manifestation occurs in heap memory management during archive parsing operations. The flaw operates by tricking the binary processing engine into allocating insufficient memory for extended name table entries while simultaneously attempting to write data beyond allocated boundaries, leading to memory corruption that terminates the application process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that regularly process untrusted archive files through binutils tools such as ar, nm, and objdump. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious archive files that, when processed by vulnerable systems, trigger immediate system crashes and denial of service conditions. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the vulnerability can be leveraged in automated attack scenarios where adversaries repeatedly submit malicious archives to overwhelm systems or disrupt critical infrastructure operations. The remote exploitation capability means that systems processing archive files from untrusted sources, including web applications, build systems, or automated analysis platforms, become potential targets for this type of attack.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8738 primarily involve immediate patching of affected GNU binutils installations to versions 2.25 and later where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as restricting access to archive processing tools, validating all archive inputs through signature verification or sandboxing techniques, and monitoring for unusual patterns of archive file processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process potentially malicious archive files, particularly in environments where these tools are used for automated processing of user-uploaded content or third-party libraries. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques involving execution of malicious code through software exploitation and privilege escalation via application vulnerabilities.