CVE-2017-9751 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
opcodes/rl78-decode.opc in GNU Binutils 2.28 has an unbounded GETBYTE macro, which 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 this file during "objdump -D" execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9751 resides within the GNU Binutils 2.28 distribution, specifically in the rl78-decode.opc file that handles decoding operations for RL78 architecture processors. This flaw manifests through an unbounded GETBYTE macro that fails to enforce proper bounds checking during binary file parsing operations. The issue becomes particularly critical when the objdump utility attempts to disassemble maliciously crafted binary files, as the macro's lack of boundary validation creates an exploitable condition that can lead to system instability and potential security compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the GETBYTE macro's inability to restrict memory access when reading byte values from input files. When objdump processes a malformed binary file containing crafted data structures, the macro continues to read beyond allocated memory boundaries without proper validation. This unbounded behavior creates a classic buffer overflow condition that can cause the application to crash during execution or potentially allow for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability specifically impacts the disassembly functionality of objdump when processing files with maliciously constructed RL78 architecture data, making it particularly dangerous for security researchers and system administrators who rely on these tools for binary analysis.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9751 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a fundamental flaw in how binary parsing operations are handled within the GNU Binutils framework. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to remotely disrupt system operations by providing malicious binary files that trigger the buffer overflow during objdump execution, effectively creating a remote denial of service vector. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that this vulnerability may provide opportunities for more advanced exploitation techniques, though the specific nature of these additional risks remains undetermined. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize GNU Binutils for binary analysis, particularly those performing automated security assessments or forensic analysis on potentially malicious files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9751 should focus on immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.29 or later, where the unbounded GETBYTE macro has been properly bounded and validated. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures before processing unknown binary files with objdump or similar utilities, particularly in automated environments where file processing occurs without human oversight. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index bounds, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command-line interfaces when attackers leverage objdump for malicious purposes. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxed environments for binary analysis operations to prevent local privilege escalation or information disclosure that could occur through exploitation of this vulnerability.