CVE-2016-10255 in elfutils
Summary
by MITRE
The __libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock function in elf_getdata.c in elfutils before 0.168 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted (1) sh_off or (2) sh_size ELF header value, which triggers a memory allocation failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10255 resides within the elfutils library version 0.168 and earlier, specifically in the __libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock function located in elf_getdata.c. This flaw represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited remotely through carefully crafted ELF header values. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker provides malicious sh_off or sh_size values within ELF headers, which then triggers an unexpected memory allocation failure within the library's processing logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ELF header parsing mechanism. When the library encounters malformed sh_off or sh_size values, it attempts to allocate memory based on these invalid parameters without proper bounds checking or overflow protection. This memory allocation failure occurs during the normal processing flow when the library tries to set up raw data structures for ELF section headers. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices or other forms of input validation that can lead to memory corruption or allocation failures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process untrusted ELF files, particularly those serving as file analysis services or operating in environments where users can upload arbitrary binary content. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting ELF files with malicious section header offsets or sizes that, when processed by vulnerable versions of elfutils, cause the application to crash or become unresponsive. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as this vulnerability can be leveraged in automated attack scenarios where multiple systems are targeted simultaneously, potentially leading to widespread service degradation.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly broad given that elfutils is widely used across various Unix-like systems for debugging, system administration, and binary analysis tasks. Systems that rely on libelf for processing ELF files, including those in enterprise environments, cloud platforms, and security analysis tools, are all potentially vulnerable. The vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including file upload mechanisms, network-based file processing services, or any application that interfaces with the affected library functions. This makes the attack vector particularly concerning for infrastructure services and security tools that process user-supplied binary content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10255 primarily involve upgrading to elfutils version 0.168 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and memory allocation handling. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input sanitization for ELF files in processing pipelines, implementing strict file format validation before analysis, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious ELF file patterns. The fix typically involves adding proper bounds checking for section header values and implementing more robust error handling for memory allocation failures, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for defense evasion through input validation and memory management improvements.