CVE-2017-15996 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
elfcomm.c in readelf in GNU Binutils 2.29 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (excessive memory allocation) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file that triggers a "buffer overflow on fuzzed archive header," related to an uninitialized variable, an improper conditional jump, and the get_archive_member_name, process_archive_index_and_symbols, and setup_archive functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15996 represents a critical flaw in GNU Binutils 2.29's readelf utility, specifically within the elfcomm.c file. This issue manifests as a remote denial of service condition that can be triggered by crafting malicious ELF files designed to exploit memory allocation behaviors. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of archive headers during the processing of ELF files, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the software's memory consumption patterns to exhaustion. The flaw operates through a combination of uninitialized variable usage, incorrect conditional logic, and improper buffer handling during archive processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves several interconnected components that work together to create the exploitable condition. The get_archive_member_name function fails to properly initialize critical variables before processing archive headers, while process_archive_index_and_symbols and setup_archive functions contain conditional jumps that do not adequately validate input parameters. This combination creates a buffer overflow scenario that occurs when fuzzed archive headers are processed, leading to excessive memory allocation patterns that can overwhelm system resources. The uninitialized variable directly contributes to unpredictable memory access patterns, while the improper conditional jump allows execution to proceed through invalid code paths that trigger the memory allocation overflow.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process untrusted ELF files through readelf or related tools. Attackers can remotely trigger excessive memory consumption that leads to system instability, application crashes, or complete denial of service conditions. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that beyond simple memory exhaustion, there may be additional security implications including information disclosure or privilege escalation possibilities. Systems running GNU Binutils 2.29 that process ELF files from untrusted sources become vulnerable to these attacks, particularly in environments where automated file processing or security scanning occurs.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-676, improper use of dangerous functions, and CWE-704, incorrect type conversion or cast. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," and potentially T1550.002, "Use of Unsecured Credentials," if the exploitation leads to credential exposure during system instability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of GNU Binutils, implementing input validation for ELF file processing, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running affected versions.
Mitigation strategies should include prioritizing the upgrade to GNU Binutils versions that address this vulnerability, typically those released after the patching timeline for CVE-2017-15996. System administrators should also implement robust input validation mechanisms that sanitize ELF file headers before processing, particularly for automated scanning systems. Network-based protections should include implementing file type restrictions and content filtering for ELF files from untrusted sources. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the excessive memory allocation behavior serves as a clear indicator of successful attack execution. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for ELF file analysis to contain potential impacts of exploitation attempts.