CVE-2014-9482 in libdwarf
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in dwarfdump in libdwarf 20130126 through 20140805 might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (program crash) via a crafted ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The CVE-2014-9482 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within the dwarfdump utility component of libdwarf library versions ranging from 20130126 through 20140805. This flaw exists in the handling of debug information within ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files, specifically when processing DWARF debugging data structures. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory blocks are accessed after being deallocated, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system instability. This issue affects systems that process or analyze ELF files containing malformed DWARF debug sections, particularly those utilizing the libdwarf library for debugging information parsing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when dwarfdump processes malformed ELF files that contain specially crafted DWARF debug information. During the parsing process, the library allocates memory for debug data structures and subsequently frees them when processing certain debug entries. However, the code fails to properly nullify pointers or validate the state of memory blocks before reuse, allowing an attacker to manipulate the debug data in such a way that when the program attempts to access previously freed memory locations, it triggers undefined behavior. This memory corruption can manifest as program crashes, segmentation faults, or potentially more severe exploitation vectors depending on the execution environment and memory layout.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9482 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can be exploited in various contexts. Systems that routinely process or analyze ELF files, such as software development environments, debugging tools, security scanners, and automated build systems, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through the processing of maliciously crafted ELF files, making it applicable to continuous integration systems, automated security analysis platforms, and any application that accepts and processes user-supplied binary files. This makes it a significant concern for software distribution channels, build servers, and debugging infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected libdwarf versions, implementing proper input validation for ELF file processing, and employing memory safety techniques such as address sanitization and bounds checking. Organizations should prioritize updating to libdwarf versions that have addressed this use-after-free condition, typically those released after August 2014. Additionally, implementing defensive programming practices including pointer validation, memory state tracking, and proper error handling in applications that utilize libdwarf can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a classic example of how memory safety issues can lead to remote code execution or denial of service in security-critical applications. This issue also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1059, where adversaries may leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code or gain unauthorized access to systems through compromised debugging tools or development environments.