CVE-2017-12456 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The read_symbol_stabs_debugging_info function in rddbg.c in GNU Binutils 2.29 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause an out of bounds heap read via a crafted binary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12456 represents a critical heap memory access issue within GNU Binutils version 2.29 and earlier releases. This flaw exists in the read_symbol_stabs_debugging_info function located in the rddbg.c source file, which processes debugging information in binary files. The vulnerability manifests when the system encounters malformed binary data during the parsing of stabs debugging information, creating a condition where memory reads extend beyond the bounds of allocated heap buffers. This out-of-bounds heap read vulnerability can be exploited remotely through the processing of specially crafted binary files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted binary content is processed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The flaw occurs during the normal operation of binutils tools such as objdump and readelf when they attempt to parse debugging information from binary files. The function processes stabs debugging information format, a legacy debugging format used primarily in Unix systems and older binary distributions. When malicious data structures are encountered, the parsing logic fails to properly validate array bounds, leading to memory access violations that can result in information disclosure, system instability, or potential code execution depending on the specific implementation details and memory layout.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects systems that utilize GNU Binutils for processing binary files, particularly in automated build systems, security scanning tools, and debugging environments. Attackers can craft malicious binary files that, when processed by affected versions of binutils, trigger the out-of-bounds heap read condition. The remote exploitation capability means that systems processing untrusted binary content, such as package managers, automated vulnerability scanners, or file upload systems, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that has been prevalent in C-based systems where buffer bounds checking is insufficient or absent during complex parsing operations involving structured data formats.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to several security consequences including information disclosure through memory read operations, potential denial of service through system instability, and in some cases, privilege escalation opportunities if the affected tools run with elevated privileges. Security researchers have identified that this issue falls within the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique category, which covers the execution of malicious code through legitimate system tools. Organizations using affected binutils versions should prioritize immediate patching, as the vulnerability exists in widely deployed tools that process binary content across various computing environments. Mitigation strategies include updating to GNU Binutils 2.30 or later versions where the issue has been resolved through improved bounds checking and input validation mechanisms, along with implementing additional sandboxing measures for binary processing operations in security-sensitive environments.