CVE-2017-9954 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The getvalue function in tekhex.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.28, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted tekhex file, as demonstrated by mishandling within the nm program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9954 represents a critical stack-based buffer over-read flaw within the Binary File Descriptor library component of GNU Binutils version 2.28. This issue specifically affects the getvalue function located in the tekhex.c file, which serves as a crucial parsing mechanism for handling tekhex format binary files. The vulnerability manifests when the BFD library processes malformed or crafted tekhex files, creating a condition where memory access occurs beyond the bounds of allocated stack buffers. The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the category of memory safety issues that can lead to unpredictable application behavior and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors when combined with other exploitation techniques. When the nm program processes a maliciously crafted tekhex file, the improper buffer handling causes the application to read data from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, resulting in application crashes and system instability. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper bounds checking can lead to memory corruption. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the BFD library, which is extensively used across multiple GNU Binutils tools including nm, objdump, and readelf, amplifying the potential impact across the entire toolchain ecosystem.
Security implications of CVE-2017-9954 extend to potential remote code execution scenarios when combined with other vulnerabilities or when exploited within specific operational contexts. The stack-based buffer over-read creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through carefully crafted input files, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise. This vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of command-line interpreters, particularly when attackers leverage tools like nm to analyze malicious files. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign file format parsing operations can become attack vectors when proper input validation and memory boundary checking are absent from the implementation. Organizations using GNU Binutils 2.28 and related tools face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through file processing operations, making it particularly dangerous in automated processing environments or when handling untrusted binary content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9954 require immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.29 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for any binary content processed through BFD-dependent tools, including signature verification and sandboxed processing environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input sanitization and memory boundary checking in security-critical libraries, as highlighted by the CWE-121 classification. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process untrusted binary files, particularly in environments where tools like nm are regularly used for file analysis. Regular vulnerability assessments and security updates should be prioritized to maintain protection against similar memory safety issues that could emerge in other components of the GNU toolchain.