CVE-2018-12697 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
A NULL pointer dereference (aka SEGV on unknown address 0x000000000000) was discovered in work_stuff_copy_to_from in cplus-dem.c in GNU libiberty, as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.30. This can occur during execution of objdump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-12697 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw in the GNU libiberty library component that is part of the GNU Binutils suite. This issue specifically affects the work_stuff_copy_to_from function within the cplus-dem.c file, which is responsible for handling demangled C++ symbol names during object file processing. The vulnerability manifests as a segmentation fault when the system attempts to access memory at address zero, indicating a classic null pointer dereference condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the demangling process of C++ symbols. When objdump processes object files containing malformed or specially crafted C++ symbol information, the work_stuff_copy_to_from function fails to properly check for null pointer conditions before attempting to dereference pointers. This condition is classified as CWE-476 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference vulnerabilities. The flaw exists in the GNU Binutils 2.30 release, making it a widespread issue affecting numerous systems that rely on these standard toolchain components for binary analysis and debugging operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When objdump encounters malformed input during symbol demangling, the null pointer dereference causes the program to terminate abnormally, potentially allowing for denial of service attacks or more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because objdump is a fundamental tool used by developers, system administrators, and security professionals for examining binary files, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through maliciously crafted binaries. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through compiled languages and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12697 should focus on immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.31 or later, where the null pointer dereference has been resolved through proper input validation. System administrators should also implement additional safeguards such as restricting execution of objdump on untrusted binary files and monitoring for abnormal process termination patterns. The vulnerability can be detected through automated security scanning tools that monitor for null pointer dereference patterns in system binaries, and organizations should consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation attempts. Regular updates to the GNU toolchain components and comprehensive security testing of binary processing workflows will help prevent similar issues from occurring in future deployments while maintaining system stability and security posture.