CVE-2017-9038 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
GNU Binutils 2.28 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted ELF file, related to the byte_get_little_endian function in elfcomm.c, the get_unwind_section_word function in readelf.c, and ARM unwind information that contains invalid word offsets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9038 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within GNU Binutils version 2.28 that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the readelf utility, which is commonly used for examining elf files and extracting information about binary executables and object files. The flaw manifests when processing crafted elf files containing malformed ARM unwind information that contains invalid word offsets, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies within the byte_get_little_endian function in elfcomm.c and the get_unwind_section_word function in readelf.c, where insufficient bounds checking occurs when processing ARM unwind information data structures. When the application encounters invalid word offsets within the unwind section of an elf file, it fails to properly validate the memory access patterns, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read condition. This memory corruption results in unpredictable application behavior including crashes, application termination, and potential system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through the processing of untrusted elf files without requiring any special privileges or user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9038 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it can affect any system running GNU Binutils 2.28 that processes elf files, including development environments, build servers, and systems that handle binary analysis tasks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious elf files that contain specifically crafted ARM unwind information with invalid word offsets, causing legitimate applications that rely on readelf to crash. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in automated build systems or continuous integration environments where elf file analysis tools are frequently invoked.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to GNU Binutils version 2.29 or later, where the issue has been resolved through proper bounds checking implementations. System administrators should also implement file validation procedures that scan elf files for malformed structures before processing them with readelf or other binutils utilities. The fix addresses the vulnerability by adding comprehensive input validation to ensure that word offsets within ARM unwind information are properly bounded before memory access operations occur. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based filtering rules that prevent processing of suspicious elf files, particularly in environments where elf file analysis is performed on untrusted inputs. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and bounds checking in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.002 which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or memory corruption.
The vulnerability serves as a reminder of how seemingly minor issues in binary processing utilities can have significant security implications, particularly in systems that routinely analyze potentially malicious binary content. The flaw's classification under CWE-125 highlights the need for robust input validation in memory management operations, while its potential exploitation through the ATT&CK framework demonstrates how such vulnerabilities can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios. System administrators should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a straightforward remediation that significantly reduces the attack surface for denial of service attacks targeting GNU Binutils installations.