CVE-2018-10372 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
process_cu_tu_index in dwarf.c in GNU Binutils 2.30 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted binary file, as demonstrated by readelf.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10372 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw in the GNU Binutils 2.30 release, specifically within the process_cu_tu_index function located in the dwarf.c source file. This issue affects the readelf utility which is commonly used for examining binary files and their debugging information. The vulnerability arises when processing specially crafted binary files that contain malformed dwarf debugging information, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed binary file that contains malformed dwarf debugging entries. When readelf processes such a file, the process_cu_tu_index function fails to properly validate input data before attempting to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within the dwarf debugging information parser, allowing attackers to trigger a heap-based buffer over-read condition. The vulnerability manifests as an application crash due to memory access violations, effectively causing a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate use of the readelf utility.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems that rely on GNU Binutils for binary analysis and debugging operations. Attackers can remotely exploit this flaw by providing maliciously crafted binary files to systems running affected versions of readelf, leading to unauthorized service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated binary analysis tools process untrusted input, such as software repositories, malware analysis systems, or continuous integration pipelines. The denial of service impact can result in complete system unavailability for binary analysis tasks, potentially affecting software development workflows and security operations that depend on these tools.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions in software implementations. This classification specifically addresses situations where applications read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, often resulting in crashes or information disclosure. The attack pattern follows typical remote code execution vectors described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1499 for "Endpoint Denial of Service." Organizations using affected versions of GNU Binutils should prioritize patching and implementing additional input validation measures to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to GNU Binutils versions that contain the patched implementation of process_cu_tu_index function, which properly validates input data and implements appropriate bounds checking. System administrators should also implement restrictive file access controls for binary analysis tools and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms when processing untrusted binary content. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for abnormal application crashes and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of GNU Binutils and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts.