CVE-2017-9754 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The process_otr function in bfd/versados.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.28, does not validate a certain offset, 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 CVE-2017-9754 vulnerability resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, specifically in the process_otr function located in bfd/versados.c. This flaw affects GNU Binutils 2.28 and represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that can be exploited remotely through crafted binary files. The BFD library serves as a foundational component for various binary analysis tools including objdump, readelf, and nm, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can impact multiple tools within the GNU toolchain. The vulnerability manifests when the process_otr function fails to properly validate a specific offset value during binary file processing, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted binary file is processed by tools such as objdump with the -D flag, which disassembles all sections of the binary. During this disassembly process, the process_otr function attempts to read and manipulate data structures without proper bounds checking on an offset parameter. This lack of validation allows attackers to craft input files that cause the function to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, resulting in either a buffer overflow condition or more subtle memory corruption that can lead to application crashes. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it could potentially enable arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory corruption patterns and the target system's memory layout.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for security professionals and system administrators who rely on BFD-based tools for binary analysis and reverse engineering activities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by enticing users to process malicious files through standard binary analysis tools. The vulnerability affects the broader cybersecurity ecosystem since many security tools and automated systems depend on BFD functionality for malware analysis, vulnerability assessment, and binary forensics. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that beyond the immediate buffer overflow and crash conditions, there may be opportunities for privilege escalation or information disclosure depending on the execution environment and system configuration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9754 should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils versions, with particular attention to the specific process_otr function implementation. Organizations should implement defensive measures such as input validation and sandboxing when processing untrusted binary files through BFD-dependent tools. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers might leverage the crash conditions to establish more persistent access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based restrictions on processing untrusted binary files and establishing robust monitoring for abnormal application behavior when using objdump and related tools. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in cryptographic and binary processing libraries, highlighting that even foundational components of the security toolchain can contain exploitable flaws that affect the entire ecosystem.