CVE-2017-8395 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.28, is vulnerable to an invalid write of size 8 because of missing a malloc() return-value check to see if memory had actually been allocated in the _bfd_generic_get_section_contents function. This vulnerability causes programs that conduct an analysis of binary programs using the libbfd library, such as objcopy, to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8395 resides within the Binary File Descriptor library, commonly known as BFD or libbfd, which is a core component of GNU Binutils version 2.28. This library serves as a critical interface for handling various binary file formats and is extensively utilized by numerous tools within the software development and security analysis ecosystem. The flaw manifests in the _bfd_generic_get_section_contents function where a critical memory allocation check is absent, creating a scenario where programs may attempt to write to memory that was never successfully allocated. This fundamental oversight in memory management represents a classic example of improper handling of allocation failures that can lead to unpredictable system behavior and potential security implications. The vulnerability specifically involves an invalid write operation of size 8 bytes, indicating that the flaw occurs when attempting to write an 8-byte value to memory that either was never allocated or has already been freed, creating a condition that can result in memory corruption.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when the BFD library processes binary files through functions that rely on memory allocation for section content handling. The missing malloc() return-value check means that if the memory allocation fails for any reason, the program continues execution without proper error handling, leading to a situation where subsequent write operations target invalid memory addresses. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions or potentially enable more sophisticated attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. The impact is significant for tools that depend on libbfd for binary analysis, including objcopy and other utilities within the GNU Binutils suite, as these programs become susceptible to crashing when processing malformed or specially crafted binary inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8395 extends beyond simple program crashes to potentially compromise the integrity of software development and security analysis workflows. When tools like objcopy or other binary processing utilities encounter malformed input files, they may crash or behave unpredictably, disrupting development processes and security analysis activities. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where binary file analysis is performed automatically or in batch processing environments, where a single malformed input could cause cascading failures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-459, which describes "Incomplete Cleanup" in software systems, specifically manifesting as incomplete error handling for memory allocation failures. From an attack perspective, while this vulnerability primarily results in denial of service, it represents a potential entry point for more complex exploitation techniques, especially when combined with other memory corruption vulnerabilities or when the affected tools are used in automated security analysis systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8395 focus on addressing the root cause through proper error handling implementation in the BFD library. The most effective solution involves updating to GNU Binutils version 2.29 or later, where the missing malloc() return-value check has been implemented to ensure proper memory allocation validation. System administrators and developers should prioritize updating their toolchains to avoid exposure to this vulnerability, particularly in environments where binary analysis tools are extensively used. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for binary file processing can provide defense-in-depth measures that reduce the likelihood of exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal program crashes or memory allocation failures in tools that utilize libbfd, as these could indicate attempted exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under software exploitation techniques, specifically related to memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to system instability and potential privilege escalation in more complex attack scenarios.