CVE-2017-9746 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The disassemble_bytes function in objdump.c in GNU Binutils 2.28 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted binary file, as demonstrated by mishandling of rae insns printing for this file during "objdump -D" execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9746 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GNU Binutils 2.28 distribution, specifically affecting the disassemble_bytes function in the objdump.c component. This issue manifests when processing malformed binary files through the objdump utility with the -D flag, which performs detailed disassembly of object files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking during the parsing of instruction sets, particularly when handling rae insns printing operations that occur during disassembly processing. The vulnerability creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overflow predetermined buffer boundaries, leading to unpredictable application behavior and potential system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through a classic buffer overflow mechanism where the disassemble_bytes function fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. When objdump encounters a crafted binary file containing malformed rae instruction sequences, the function attempts to process these instructions without sufficient boundary checks, causing memory corruption that results in application crashes or potentially more severe consequences. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and memory management practices within the binary analysis toolchain. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through the delivery of malicious binary files that trigger the vulnerable code path during normal disassembly operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9746 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment and system configuration. When an application or security tool relies on objdump for binary analysis, an attacker could leverage this vulnerability to disrupt security operations, compromise forensic analysis capabilities, or potentially achieve privilege escalation if the affected system processes untrusted binary inputs. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize GNU Binutils for routine security analysis, code auditing, or reverse engineering tasks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated binary analysis tools are employed. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for binary file execution and T1070.006 for file and directory permissions modification, as it enables manipulation of system security tooling through crafted input files. The impact is amplified in continuous integration environments, security monitoring systems, and automated vulnerability scanning platforms that depend on reliable binary analysis capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9746 should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.29 or later, where the buffer overflow vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict input validation policies for binary files processed through objdump and related tools, particularly in environments where untrusted inputs are common. Additional protective measures include deploying sandboxing mechanisms for binary analysis operations, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running objdump, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect abnormal application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in security tooling, as flaws in analysis utilities can undermine the entire security infrastructure that depends on their reliable operation.