CVE-2017-15020 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
dwarf1.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, mishandles pointers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file, related to parse_die and parse_line_table, as demonstrated by a parse_die heap-based buffer over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15020 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library component of GNU Binutils version 2.29, specifically in the dwarf1.c file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects the processing of dwarf debugging information within ELF files, creating potential pathways for remote exploitation. The BFD library serves as a fundamental component for handling various binary file formats, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could impact numerous tools and applications that depend on proper binary file parsing capabilities. The vulnerability manifests through improper pointer handling mechanisms that fail to adequately validate input data structures during the parsing of debugging information entries and line table information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a heap-based buffer over-read condition that occurs during the parse_die function execution. When processing crafted ELF files containing malformed dwarf debugging information, the system fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations and pointer arithmetic operations. This improper handling leads to memory access violations that can trigger application crashes or potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The flaw specifically affects the parse_line_table function as well, indicating that the underlying issue extends beyond a single parsing routine and represents a systemic problem in how the BFD library manages memory operations when processing debugging information. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15020 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as remote attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to achieve more severe consequences. Applications that utilize the BFD library for processing user-supplied binary files, such as malware analysis tools, binary inspection utilities, and software development environments, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack surfaces including automated binary analysis systems, web-based file upload interfaces, and network-based binary processing services. This represents a significant concern for cybersecurity infrastructure where automated processing of unknown binary content is common, as it could enable attackers to disrupt critical systems or potentially gain unauthorized access through more complex exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.30 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the pointer handling issues. Organizations should implement defensive measures such as input validation for binary file processing, sandboxing of binary analysis operations, and network-based filtering of suspicious binary content. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve crafting malicious binary files to trigger the vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for abnormal application crashes and memory access patterns when processing binary files, particularly in environments where automated binary analysis is performed. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing robust software supply chain security practices to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.