CVE-2017-7225 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The find_nearest_line function in addr2line in GNU Binutils 2.28 does not handle the case where the main file name and the directory name are both empty, triggering a NULL pointer dereference and an invalid write, and leading to a program crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7225 represents a critical flaw in GNU Binutils 2.28's addr2line utility, specifically within the find_nearest_line function. This issue manifests when the utility encounters a scenario where both the main file name and directory name are empty strings, creating a condition that leads to improper memory handling. The addr2line tool serves as a crucial component in the debugging and reverse engineering process, converting addresses into file names and line numbers within executable files. When this utility fails due to the NULL pointer dereference, it disrupts the normal operation of debugging workflows and can potentially be exploited in denial of service attacks against systems relying on this tool. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper handling of exceptional conditions, which aligns with CWE-476, specifically the NULL pointer dereference weakness. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of inadequate input validation where the function does not properly check for empty string conditions before attempting to process file path information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the memory management logic of the find_nearest_line function, where the utility assumes that file path components will always contain valid string data. When both the main file name and directory name are empty, the function attempts to dereference a NULL pointer during its internal processing, resulting in an invalid memory write operation. This behavior directly violates the expected execution flow and causes the program to terminate abruptly, leading to a crash condition that prevents legitimate debugging operations from completing successfully. The invalid write operation represents a more severe aspect of the vulnerability as it can potentially corrupt memory structures or be leveraged in more sophisticated exploitation scenarios. The flaw exists in the core logic of path resolution and file name handling, where the utility fails to implement proper boundary checking or null validation before proceeding with file system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7225 extends beyond simple program termination, as it affects the reliability and availability of debugging and development environments that depend on GNU Binutils. Security professionals and developers who rely on addr2line for crash analysis, stack trace examination, or binary reverse engineering may experience unexpected tool failures during critical debugging sessions. This vulnerability can be particularly problematic in automated build systems, continuous integration pipelines, or security analysis frameworks where addr2line is invoked programmatically. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability means that adversaries could potentially exploit it to disrupt legitimate debugging activities or to prevent system administrators from performing essential forensic analysis. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort method to cause system instability, as the vulnerability can be triggered through malformed input or by manipulating the debugging environment in ways that result in empty file path specifications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7225 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming practices within affected environments. The most effective approach involves upgrading to GNU Binutils versions that contain the patched implementation of the find_nearest_line function, which properly handles empty string conditions and prevents NULL pointer dereference scenarios. System administrators should also implement input validation measures that can detect and reject malformed debugging data before it reaches the addr2line utility. Organizations relying on this tool for security analysis should consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unexpected program crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling and defensive programming practices, particularly in tools that process external input or file system data. From a security operations standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers the use of denial of service attacks against systems through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing or containment strategies for debugging tools to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities on overall system stability and security posture.