CVE-2017-17124 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The _bfd_coff_read_string_table function in coffgen.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, does not properly validate the size of the external string table, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (excessive memory consumption, or heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted COFF binary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17124 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, specifically in the _bfd_coff_read_string_table function located in coffgen.c. This flaw affects GNU Binutils version 2.29.1 and represents a critical security issue that demonstrates poor input validation practices in binary file processing components. The BFD library serves as a foundational component for handling various binary formats, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could impact numerous tools that depend on this library for processing object files and executables.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of the external string table size within COFF (Common Object File Format) binary files. When the _bfd_coff_read_string_table function processes a crafted COFF binary, it fails to properly verify the size parameter of the external string table before attempting to allocate memory or read data. This oversight creates a condition where maliciously constructed string table sizes can trigger excessive memory allocation or cause heap-based buffer overflows. The vulnerability manifests as either a denial of service through memory exhaustion or application crashes due to buffer overflows, depending on the specific characteristics of the malformed input.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17124 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within software development and security analysis environments. Systems that process untrusted COFF binaries, such as build systems, static analysis tools, or security scanning applications, become vulnerable to this flaw. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of the length of input data, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries may exploit input validation flaws to cause denial of service or system instability. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to disrupt development workflows, compromise security analysis tools, or create persistent denial of service conditions in systems processing binary files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.30 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper string table size validation. System administrators should also implement input validation controls and sandboxing mechanisms when processing untrusted binary files, particularly in automated build and analysis environments. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed COFF binary processing attempts. The fix implemented by the GNU project addresses the root cause by introducing proper bounds checking for string table sizes, preventing both excessive memory consumption and buffer overflow conditions that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.