CVE-2017-14938 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
_bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables in elf.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 (excessive memory allocation and application crash) via a crafted ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14938 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, specifically in the _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables function located in elf.c. This library component is part of GNU Binutils 2.29 and serves as a fundamental utility for handling binary file formats, particularly ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files. The flaw manifests when processing maliciously crafted ELF files that trigger excessive memory allocation patterns, ultimately leading to application crashes and denial of service conditions. This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the core binary processing infrastructure that numerous security tools and system utilities depend upon for file analysis and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the version table processing logic of ELF files. When the _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables function encounters a malformed ELF file containing crafted version information, it fails to properly constrain memory allocation requests based on the provided metadata. This allows attackers to construct ELF files that specify extraordinarily large version table sizes, causing the BFD library to allocate excessive memory resources without proper bounds checking. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory management routines that handle version information within ELF files, which are used for symbol versioning and compatibility tracking in shared libraries. The flaw operates at the library level rather than the application level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any software that relies on BFD for binary file processing, including security scanners, debuggers, and system analysis tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14938 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise entire system security workflows. Since BFD is a foundational component used by numerous security tools and system utilities, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt security operations by targeting tools like file scanners, malware analysis frameworks, or system diagnostic utilities. The vulnerability can be triggered remotely through file processing operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated file analysis occurs, such as email security gateways, web application firewalls, or security information and event management systems. This weakness aligns with CWE-772, which addresses missing release of resource after effective lifetime, and represents a classic example of resource exhaustion that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, as the excessive memory allocation can cause systems to become unresponsive or crash entirely.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14938 primarily involve updating to patched versions of GNU Binutils, specifically versions 2.30 or later where the memory allocation bounds checking has been implemented. Organizations should prioritize patching all systems that utilize BFD libraries for binary file processing, including security tools, debuggers, and system analysis utilities. Additional defensive measures include implementing file validation mechanisms that can detect and quarantine suspicious ELF files before they reach the BFD processing layer, deploying memory monitoring systems to detect anomalous allocation patterns, and configuring automated file analysis systems to use sandboxed environments when processing untrusted binary content. Network security controls should be enhanced to monitor for file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing resource exhaustion vulnerabilities in core system libraries. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security infrastructure and highlights the need for robust input validation in low-level system components that handle untrusted binary data.