CVE-2017-7209 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The dump_section_as_bytes function in readelf in GNU Binutils 2.28 accesses a NULL pointer while reading section contents in a corrupt binary, leading to a program crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7209 resides within the readelf utility of GNU Binutils version 2.28, specifically within the dump_section_as_bytes function. This flaw represents a classic null pointer dereference condition that occurs when processing malformed or corrupted binary files. The issue manifests when the readelf tool attempts to analyze section contents of a damaged executable or object file, causing the program to crash due to improper memory handling during the section reading process. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in security tooling where robust error handling is essential for preventing denial of service conditions and potential exploitation vectors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. When readelf encounters a corrupt binary structure, the dump_section_as_bytes function fails to properly validate section pointers before attempting to access them, resulting in a segmentation fault or program termination. This behavior occurs because the function assumes that section data structures will always contain valid pointers, without implementing adequate checks for malformed input. The vulnerability exists in the parsing logic where the tool does not adequately sanitize or validate the input binary format before proceeding with section analysis operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to security analysts and system administrators who rely on readelf for binary analysis. The crash condition can be exploited by attackers to cause denial of service against systems running GNU Binutils, particularly in automated analysis environments or when processing untrusted binary inputs. The impact extends beyond simple program termination, as it can disrupt security workflows and automated scanning processes that depend on reliable binary analysis tools. In environments where readelf is used extensively for malware analysis, vulnerability assessment, or system auditing, this crash condition can lead to complete operational disruption and may prevent critical security tasks from completing successfully.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-7209 involves updating to GNU Binutils version 2.29 or later, where the null pointer dereference has been addressed through improved input validation and error handling. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running security tools that utilize readelf functionality. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures and validating binary file integrity before processing can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for abnormal program termination patterns and ensure that automated analysis workflows include proper error handling to prevent cascading failures when encountering malformed inputs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in security tools and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service attacks, where system availability is compromised through application-level crashes.