CVE-2017-15938 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
dwarf2.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, miscalculates DW_FORM_ref_addr die refs in the case of a relocatable object file, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (find_abstract_instance_name invalid memory read, segmentation fault, and application crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15938 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library component of GNU Binutils version 2.29, specifically within the dwarf2.c file responsible for handling DWARF debugging information. This flaw represents a critical memory management issue that manifests during the processing of relocatable object files containing DW_FORM_ref_addr debug entries. The vulnerability stems from an improper calculation mechanism that fails to correctly handle reference addresses when processing debugging information in relocatable formats, creating a scenario where malformed or maliciously crafted binary files can trigger unexpected behavior in applications that rely on BFD for binary analysis.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability involves a miscalculation in how the BFD library processes DW_FORM_ref_addr debug entries within relocatable object files. When the library encounters these specific debug entries during processing, it performs an incorrect memory address calculation that leads to invalid memory access patterns. This miscalculation specifically affects the find_abstract_instance_name function which attempts to resolve abstract instances within the debug information structure. The flaw occurs because the library does not properly account for the relocation context when calculating reference addresses, resulting in memory pointers that point to invalid locations within the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against systems that process or analyze binary files through the affected BFD library. When a maliciously crafted relocatable object file is processed by an application using BFD, the invalid memory read operation triggers a segmentation fault that causes the application to crash. This crash behavior can be exploited in scenarios where applications such as debuggers, binary analyzers, or build systems process untrusted binary inputs, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt legitimate operations or cause system instability. The vulnerability affects any software that depends on GNU Binutils for processing binary files, including development tools, security analysis platforms, and automated build systems.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Uninitialized Memory Read" and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues. The attack pattern follows techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution, specifically targeting application stability through memory corruption. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of a remote code execution vector that can be leveraged to cause system-wide disruption, though it primarily manifests as a denial of service rather than direct code execution. Organizations using affected versions of GNU Binutils should prioritize updating to patched releases that address the miscalculation in DW_FORM_ref_addr handling and implement proper input validation for binary file processing to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.