CVE-2017-14745 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, interpret a -1 value as a sorting count instead of an error flag, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (integer 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 • 11/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14745 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, a critical component of GNU Binutils 2.29 that serves as a foundational library for handling various binary file formats. This flaw manifests in the *_get_synthetic_symtab functions where the library incorrectly interprets a -1 value as a sorting count rather than recognizing it as an error flag. The improper handling occurs specifically within the elf32-i386.c and elf64-x86-64.c source files, which are responsible for processing x86 architecture binary files. The issue represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and error handling, where the system fails to properly distinguish between valid data and error conditions during the symbolic table processing phase of binary file analysis.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the integer overflow that occurs when the -1 value is treated as a legitimate sorting count parameter. This misinterpretation leads to predictable memory access patterns that can cause the application to crash or enter an unstable state, resulting in a denial of service condition. The flaw operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains including software security, binary analysis, and application robustness, as it exploits fundamental assumptions about data validation and error handling within the BFD library. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through the processing of maliciously crafted ELF files, making it a remote attack vector that does not require local system access. This characteristic aligns with the ATT&CK framework's concept of privilege escalation through file processing, where an attacker can manipulate application behavior through crafted input without requiring elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14745 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially encompass more severe consequences including system instability and application crashes that could affect security tools and systems relying on BFD for binary analysis. When security applications such as malware analysis tools, vulnerability scanners, or system monitoring utilities process binary files through the affected BFD library, they become susceptible to this vulnerability. The integer overflow condition can lead to unpredictable behavior that might be exploited by sophisticated attackers to achieve more advanced objectives, though the immediate impact is primarily denial of service. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling in security-sensitive libraries, as demonstrated by CWE-191, which addresses integer underflow and overflow conditions. This flaw affects a wide range of applications that depend on GNU Binutils for binary processing, including security research tools, system utilities, and development environments that utilize the BFD library for file format analysis and manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14745 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of GNU Binutils where the improper handling of the -1 value has been corrected to properly distinguish between sorting counts and error flags. System administrators should prioritize updating their environments to versions that contain the fix, as the vulnerability affects core infrastructure components that are widely used across various security and development tools. Additionally, implementing input validation measures and sandboxing techniques can provide additional protection layers while awaiting patch deployment. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious binary file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where automated binary analysis tools are in use. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive testing for error conditions in security libraries and the importance of adhering to secure coding practices that properly handle edge cases and invalid inputs to prevent exploitation through crafted data.