CVE-2017-14130 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The _bfd_elf_parse_attributes function in elf-attrs.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (_bfd_elf_attr_strdup heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14130 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, specifically in the _bfd_elf_parse_attributes function located in elf-attrs.c. This critical flaw affects GNU Binutils version 2.29 and represents a heap-based buffer over-read condition that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted ELF files. The BFD library serves as a foundational component for handling various binary file formats, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it impacts numerous tools that depend on this library for file processing and analysis. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory handling issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow or buffer over-read conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the _bfd_elf_parse_attributes function processes ELF files containing malformed attribute sections that trigger a buffer over-read during string duplication operations. The function utilizes _bfd_elf_attr_strdup for memory management, which fails to properly validate the bounds of attribute data within the ELF file. When attackers craft ELF files with carefully constructed attribute data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries, the function attempts to read beyond allocated memory regions, causing heap corruption and ultimately leading to application crashes. This behavior constitutes a denial of service condition that can be reliably triggered by remote attackers who have the ability to influence the processing of ELF files through vulnerable applications. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution and T1499.004 for network denial of service.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14130 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Systems that process untrusted ELF files, such as file analysis tools, security scanners, and automated processing systems, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability affects a wide range of GNU Binutils tools including objdump, readelf, and other utilities that depend on BFD for ELF file parsing. Organizations using these tools for security analysis, malware detection, or system administration may experience unexpected service interruptions when processing maliciously crafted files. The remote nature of the attack means that simply encountering an ELF file in a networked environment could trigger the vulnerability without requiring local access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.30 or later, where the buffer over-read issue has been resolved through proper bounds checking in the _bfd_elf_parse_attributes function. Additionally, organizations should implement defensive measures such as input validation for ELF file processing, sandboxing of file analysis operations, and network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider monitoring for unusual file processing patterns and implementing automated scanning for known malicious ELF file patterns that might trigger this vulnerability. The fix implemented in newer versions addresses the root cause by adding proper validation of attribute data boundaries before attempting memory operations, thereby preventing the heap-based buffer over-read condition that enabled the denial of service attack.