CVE-2017-16832 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The pe_bfd_read_buildid function in peicode.h in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, does not validate size and offset values in the data dictionary, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation violation and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted PE file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16832 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library component of GNU Binutils version 2.29.1, specifically within the pe_bfd_read_buildid function located in peicode.h. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs when processing Portable Executable (PE) files, which are the standard executable file format used on Windows operating systems. The BFD library serves as a core component for handling various binary file formats across different architectures, making it a critical element in toolchains that process and analyze executable files. When a maliciously crafted PE file is processed by software utilizing this vulnerable BFD library, the function fails to properly validate the size and offset parameters within the data dictionary structure, creating a dangerous scenario where arbitrary data can be read beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability manifests through a lack of proper input validation mechanisms within the pe_bfd_read_buildid function. This function is designed to extract build identifiers from PE files, but it does not perform adequate checks on the size and offset values contained within the PE file's data dictionary. When encountering malformed PE files with crafted size and offset values, the function attempts to read memory locations that may be outside the bounds of the allocated buffer, leading to segmentation violations and subsequent application crashes. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-129 as "Improper Validation of Array Index" and also relates to CWE-787 as "Out-of-bounds Write" when considering the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting PE files with maliciously constructed data dictionary entries that cause the BFD library to access invalid memory regions, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the specific context of the vulnerable application's memory management.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16832 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors within systems that rely on BFD library functionality for file processing. This vulnerability affects a wide range of security tools, compilers, and binary analysis utilities that depend on GNU Binutils for processing executable files, including but not limited to static analysis tools, malware analysis frameworks, and security scanning applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' in scenarios where these tools process untrusted PE files, and also maps to T1499.004 for "Network Denial of Service: Resource Exhaustion" when considering the potential for resource exhaustion attacks. Systems that process PE files from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, file sharing platforms, or security scanning pipelines, become particularly vulnerable to this flaw, as attackers can craft PE files designed to trigger the vulnerability in any application that utilizes the affected BFD library version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16832 should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.30 or later, where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper validation of size and offset parameters. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for PE files processed by security tools, including sandboxing and automated scanning for malformed executable structures. Network security controls should be configured to filter and scan PE files at ingress points, particularly in environments where untrusted file processing occurs. The fix implemented in subsequent versions addresses the root cause by introducing comprehensive validation checks within the pe_bfd_read_buildid function, ensuring that all size and offset values are properly verified before memory access operations are performed. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable BFD library versions and implement monitoring for suspicious file processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.