CVE-2016-4492 in libiberty
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the do_type function in cplus-dem.c in libiberty allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault and crash) via a crafted binary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4492 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the GNU binutils project's libiberty library, specifically affecting the cplus-dem.c component responsible for C++ symbol demangling operations. This flaw exists in the do_type function where insufficient input validation and boundary checking allows maliciously crafted binary data to trigger memory corruption during the demangling process. The issue manifests when the demangler encounters specially constructed input that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that ultimately result in application termination.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of character sequences during C++ symbol name resolution. When the do_type function processes input strings, it fails to adequately validate the length of incoming data against predetermined buffer limits, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This buffer overflow condition specifically targets the memory management practices within the symbol demangling subsystem, where the function assumes fixed-size buffers without sufficient bounds checking mechanisms. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow vulnerabilities occurring when insufficient space is allocated for data, and represents a classic example of stack-based buffer overflow in C programming environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4492 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass broader system stability concerns within software development and debugging environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause segmentation faults and application crashes when tools such as gdb, objdump, or other utilities relying on libiberty's demangling capabilities process maliciously formatted binary files. This vulnerability particularly affects debugging and reverse engineering workflows where symbol information is crucial for software analysis, potentially disrupting development processes and security research activities. The attack surface includes any system utilizing GNU binutils components that may encounter malformed symbol data during processing, making it a significant concern for development environments and security tooling infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected libiberty installations through updated GNU binutils releases that incorporate proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize updating all development and debugging environments to eliminate exposure to this buffer overflow condition. Additional protective measures include implementing input sanitization within applications that utilize libiberty functions, deploying runtime monitoring for abnormal memory access patterns, and establishing network segmentation to limit potential exploitation vectors. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which addresses the use of system binaries for malicious purposes, by ensuring proper validation of input data before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning processes to identify systems running outdated versions of binutils that may still be vulnerable to similar buffer overflow conditions in related components.