CVE-2016-4489 in libiberty
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the gnu_special function in libiberty allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault and crash) via a crafted binary, related to the "demangling of virtual tables."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4489 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the GNU libiberty library's gnu_special function, specifically during the demangling process of virtual tables in compiled binaries. This flaw exists in the way the library handles certain binary formats during symbol resolution, creating a scenario where malformed input can trigger unexpected behavior in applications that rely on libiberty for symbol name demangling. The issue stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic operations when processing virtual table entries, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions that can result in application instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of integer overflow conditions within the demangling algorithm that processes C++ virtual table information. When a crafted binary contains specially constructed virtual table entries, the gnu_special function fails to properly validate integer values during the demangling process, causing arithmetic overflow that results in invalid memory access patterns. This particular flaw affects the GNU binutils package and any software that utilizes the libiberty library for symbol processing, including debuggers, disassemblers, and binary analysis tools. The vulnerability manifests as a segmentation fault when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, ultimately leading to application termination.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4489 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt services that process binary files or perform symbol resolution operations. Systems utilizing tools such as gdb, objdump, or any application that employs libiberty for binary analysis are at risk when processing untrusted binary input. The vulnerability can be exploited in scenarios where applications automatically process user-uploaded files or analyze third-party binaries, potentially allowing attackers to cause persistent service disruption or system instability. This flaw particularly affects environments where automated binary analysis is performed, such as malware analysis platforms, continuous integration systems, or security scanning tools that process unknown binary artifacts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4489 should focus on immediate patching of affected libiberty versions and implementation of input validation measures for applications that process binary files. Organizations should prioritize updating their GNU binutils installations to versions that contain the patched gnu_special function implementation, which typically involves correcting the integer overflow handling during virtual table demangling operations. Additionally, defensive programming practices should be implemented to validate binary input parameters and limit the scope of symbol processing operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through binary exploitation. Network defenders should monitor for unusual patterns in binary analysis tool usage and implement sandboxing mechanisms to isolate potentially malicious binary inputs, particularly in automated analysis environments where the vulnerability can be exploited to cause cascading service failures across multiple systems.