CVE-2017-7609 in elfutils
Summary
by MITRE
elf_compress.c in elfutils 0.168 does not validate the zlib compression factor, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a crafted ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7609 resides within the elfutils 0.168 library, specifically in the elf_compress.c component that handles decompression of ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files. This flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation where the system fails to properly verify the compression parameters used in zlib-compressed sections of ELF binaries. The vulnerability manifests when the decompression routine processes a malformed ELF file containing crafted compression data that triggers excessive memory allocation during the decompression process.
This issue falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks as defined by CWE-400, specifically targeting memory consumption rather than direct execution or privilege escalation. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to craft malicious ELF files that, when processed by software utilizing elfutils 0.168, will cause the decompression routine to allocate excessive amounts of memory. The root cause stems from the lack of validation for the zlib compression factor, which determines how aggressively the compression algorithm will compress data, and in this case, allows for unbounded memory consumption during decompression operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be exploited in environments where ELF files are regularly processed such as software deployment systems, package managers, or security scanning tools. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to system instability, application crashes, or complete system resource exhaustion, particularly in constrained environments such as embedded systems or containerized deployments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated processing environments where the system might be repeatedly processing ELF files without proper input sanitization, creating a potential vector for sustained denial of service attacks.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves resource exhaustion attacks through manipulation of compressed data. The attack requires minimal sophistication as it only requires crafting a specific ELF file with malicious compression parameters, making it accessible to attackers with basic knowledge of ELF format structure and compression algorithms. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and compression parameter limits within the decompression routines, along with updating to versions of elfutils that have addressed this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing decompression timeouts and memory limits when processing untrusted ELF files, as well as monitoring for unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation in security-critical libraries and demonstrates how seemingly benign compression handling can become a significant attack surface when proper bounds checking is omitted.