CVE-2016-10254 in elfutils
Summary
by MITRE
The allocate_elf function in common.h in elfutils before 0.168 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted ELF file, which triggers a memory allocation failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10254 resides within the elfutils library version 0.168 and earlier, specifically in the allocate_elf function located in the common.h file. This flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers through the careful crafting of ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files. The issue manifests when the system processes these maliciously constructed files, leading to a crash that disrupts normal system operations and potentially renders services unavailable to legitimate users.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the memory allocation routines of the elfutils library. When the allocate_elf function encounters a malformed ELF file, it attempts to allocate memory resources without proper bounds checking or error handling for exceptional conditions. This weakness falls under the broader category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which specifically addresses issues where software does not properly validate input data before processing. The flaw creates a scenario where a specially crafted ELF file can trigger memory allocation failures that result in program termination rather than graceful error handling or rejection of the malformed input.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process or analyze ELF files, particularly in environments where automated file scanning or analysis is performed. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or transmitting malicious ELF files that, when processed by vulnerable systems, will cause crashes and subsequent denial of service conditions. The impact extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially disrupt critical infrastructure services, automated build systems, or security scanning tools that rely on elfutils for binary analysis. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in containerized environments or cloud computing platforms where multiple users may upload files that are subsequently processed by shared infrastructure components.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 subtechnique for Network Denial of Service, where attackers specifically target software components to cause system unavailability. The flaw can be leveraged by adversaries to perform resource exhaustion attacks or to disrupt services that depend on proper ELF file handling, potentially leading to cascading failures in larger systems. Organizations that deploy elfutils for system administration, debugging, or security analysis purposes are particularly at risk since these tools are often invoked automatically during routine operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10254 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of elfutils 0.168 or later, which includes proper input validation and error handling for memory allocation operations. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as file type validation, sandboxing of file processing operations, and regular security assessments of systems that utilize elfutils components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in system libraries and highlights the necessity of comprehensive testing for edge cases in file format processing. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all systems processing ELF files maintain current security patches to prevent successful exploitation of this and similar memory handling vulnerabilities.