CVE-2017-9748 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The ieee_object_p function in bfd/ieee.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.28, might allow 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 this file during "objdump -D" execution. NOTE: this may be related to a compiler bug.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The CVE-2017-9748 vulnerability resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, specifically in the ieee_object_p function located in bfd/ieee.c. This library component is part of GNU Binutils 2.28 and serves as a foundational element for binary file manipulation and analysis tools. The flaw manifests when processing crafted binary files that trigger a buffer overflow condition during the execution of objdump -D commands, creating a significant security risk for systems relying on these utilities for binary analysis. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ieee_object_p function, which fails to properly validate the size and structure of IEEE object files before processing them. When a maliciously crafted binary file is processed by objdump -D, the function attempts to read data into a fixed-size buffer without sufficient boundary verification, causing the buffer to overflow and overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can result in application crashes, making the system unavailable to legitimate users through denial of service attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple crashes as it may potentially allow for more sophisticated attacks depending on the memory layout and execution context of the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9748 affects users and organizations that rely on GNU Binutils for software development, debugging, and binary analysis activities. Systems processing untrusted binary files through objdump or related tools become vulnerable to exploitation, potentially compromising system availability and integrity. The vulnerability's relationship to compiler bugs suggests that the issue may be exacerbated by specific compilation environments or toolchain configurations, making the attack surface more complex to predict and mitigate. This characteristic places additional burden on system administrators who must consider not only the direct vulnerability but also potential indirect impacts from compiler-related issues that may compound the security risk.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils versions, implementing input validation controls, and establishing secure processing procedures for binary files. Organizations should consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms when processing untrusted binary content and regularly update their toolchains to address compiler-related issues that may contribute to exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern for ATT&CK framework categories related to privilege escalation and denial of service. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious objdump execution patterns and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific buffer overflow condition.