CVE-2017-8398 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
dwarf.c in GNU Binutils 2.28 is vulnerable to an invalid read of size 1 during dumping of debug information from a corrupt binary. This vulnerability causes programs that conduct an analysis of binary programs, such as objdump and readelf, to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8398 resides within the dwarf.c component of GNU Binutils version 2.28, representing a critical flaw in the handling of debug information within binary files. This issue manifests when the software attempts to process corrupted binary programs, specifically during the dumping of debug information. The flaw constitutes an invalid read operation of size 1, indicating that the program attempts to access a single byte of memory that has not been properly validated or initialized. Such behavior fundamentally violates memory safety principles and creates a pathway for potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the debug information parsing routines of GNU Binutils, where the dwarf.c module fails to properly validate input data structures before attempting to read from them. When processing malformed or corrupted binary files, the software does not adequately check for valid debug information format compliance, leading to the invalid read operation that results in program termination. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes an out-of-bounds read condition, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in binary analysis tools. The vulnerability affects core utilities like objdump and readelf, which are essential components for examining and analyzing binary program structures, making it particularly dangerous in security analysis environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8398 extends beyond simple program crashes, as it undermines the reliability of critical security analysis tools used by both developers and security professionals. When these tools fail due to corrupted input data, it creates a denial of service condition that can prevent legitimate binary analysis operations from completing successfully. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting specifically malformed binary files designed to trigger the invalid read condition, causing analysis tools to crash and potentially disrupting security assessment workflows. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves the execution of malicious code through system utilities, as compromised analysis tools could be used to evade detection or gain unauthorized access to systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where binary analysis is a routine security practice.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8398 should prioritize updating to patched versions of GNU Binutils where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory boundary checking. Organizations should implement defensive programming practices that include input sanitization and robust error handling in their binary analysis workflows, particularly when processing untrusted or potentially corrupted files. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for binary analysis tools to prevent complete system compromise if vulnerabilities are exploited. The fix typically involves adding proper validation checks before memory access operations and ensuring that debug information parsing routines can gracefully handle malformed input data without crashing, thereby maintaining system stability and preventing potential exploitation scenarios that could lead to more severe security consequences.