CVE-2017-16829 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The _bfd_elf_parse_gnu_properties function in elf-properties.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, does not prevent negative pointers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16829 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, specifically in the _bfd_elf_parse_gnu_properties function located in elf-properties.c. This flaw affects GNU Binutils version 2.29.1 and represents a critical security issue that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted ELF files. The BFD library serves as a foundational component for various binary analysis tools including objdump, readelf, and ld, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems that process untrusted binary data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle negative pointer values during the parsing of GNU properties within ELF file structures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of pointer arithmetic within the _bfd_elf_parse_gnu_properties function. When processing ELF files containing crafted GNU properties, the function fails to validate that pointer calculations do not result in negative values that would cause out-of-bounds memory access. This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and memory safety issues, specifically aligning with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length fields. The absence of proper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate the parsing logic through specially constructed ELF files that contain negative pointer values, leading to unpredictable behavior during the binary processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by constructing ELF files that trigger the vulnerable code path, resulting in out-of-bounds read operations that may cause application crashes or system instability. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, it might be exploitable for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when the affected BFD library is used in security-sensitive contexts such as malware analysis tools or system utilities that process user-supplied binaries. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted binary content is regularly processed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16829 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems running GNU Binutils 2.29.1 or earlier versions. Organizations should prioritize updating their BFD library components to versions that include proper input validation and pointer arithmetic checks. System administrators should also implement defensive measures such as restricting the processing of untrusted binary files through sandboxed environments or automated analysis systems that can detect and isolate potentially malicious ELF constructs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in security-critical libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities through crafted input files. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of systems that process binary content and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual application behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.