CVE-2017-14729 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The *_get_synthetic_symtab functions in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, do not ensure a unique PLT entry for a symbol, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file, related to elf32-i386.c and elf64-x86-64.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14729 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library component of GNU Binutils version 2.29, specifically affecting the *_get_synthetic_symtab functions. This flaw represents a critical security issue that manifests when processing crafted ELF files, creating conditions that can lead to heap-based buffer overflows and subsequent application crashes. The vulnerability stems from the library's failure to maintain unique PLT (Procedure Linkage Table) entries for symbols during the processing of binary files, creating predictable patterns that malicious actors can exploit to manipulate memory structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of symbol table entries within the ELF file processing pipeline. When BFD encounters certain crafted ELF files, the *_get_synthetic_symtab functions fail to properly validate or generate unique PLT entries for symbols, leading to memory corruption when the library attempts to allocate and populate buffer structures. This weakness affects both 32-bit and 64-bit x86 architectures through the elf32-i386.c and elf64-x86-64.c source files, demonstrating the widespread impact across different processor architectures. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and binary parsing, where insufficient bounds checking and unique identifier generation creates exploitable conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as remote attackers can potentially leverage the heap-based buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code or cause more severe system instability. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution through malicious file processing. Systems that process untrusted ELF files, such as malware analysis tools, package managers, and binary analysis frameworks, become particularly vulnerable to this attack vector. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can trigger the vulnerability through network-based file transfers without requiring local access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14729 should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.30 or later, where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper PLT entry generation and memory allocation validation. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for ELF files, particularly those received from untrusted sources, and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms to isolate binary analysis operations. The fix addresses the core issue by ensuring unique PLT entry generation and implementing proper bounds checking during symbol table processing. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual memory allocation patterns and potential buffer overflow indicators in systems processing binary files, with particular attention to the affected BFD library functions and their interaction with ELF file parsing components.