CVE-2018-16403 in elfutils
Summary
by MITRE
libdw in elfutils 0.173 checks the end of the attributes list incorrectly in dwarf_getabbrev in dwarf_getabbrev.c and dwarf_hasattr in dwarf_hasattr.c, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read and an application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16403 resides within the libdw library component of elfutils version 0.173, specifically affecting the dwarf_getabbrev and dwarf_hasattr functions. This issue manifests as an improper validation of attribute list boundaries during DWARF debugging information processing, creating a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition that can lead to application instability and potential system compromise. The flaw occurs in the dwarf_getabbrev.c and dwarf_hasattr.c source files where the library fails to correctly verify the end of attribute lists before attempting to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially more severe exploitation scenarios. The technical implementation of the flaw demonstrates a classic buffer over-read where the library processes DWARF debugging data without adequate bounds checking on attribute list termination markers, allowing an attacker to craft malicious DWARF data that triggers memory access violations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors within systems that rely on elfutils for debugging and analysis operations. When applications using libdw process malformed DWARF debugging information, the improper boundary checking causes the library to read memory beyond the intended buffer limits, which can result in unpredictable behavior including segmentation faults, data corruption, or information leakage. The heap-based nature of the over-read means that the vulnerability can affect memory layout and potentially provide attackers with insights into memory organization that could be leveraged in more advanced exploitation techniques. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where debugging tools process untrusted binary data or where automated analysis systems parse DWARF information from various sources without proper input sanitization.
Systems utilizing elfutils for debugging, binary analysis, or software development toolchains face significant risk from this vulnerability, especially in scenarios involving processing of untrusted or malformed executable files. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for execution through command-line interfaces, as exploitation could occur when debugging tools process malicious input. Organizations relying on tools such as readelf, eu-objdump, or other utilities that depend on libdw for DWARF data processing should consider this vulnerability critical to their security posture. The memory corruption resulting from the buffer over-read can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution in certain scenarios, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the affected applications run with elevated privileges. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of elfutils to version 0.174 or later, implementing input validation for DWARF data in processing pipelines, and monitoring for unusual application crashes or memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security-conscious deployments should consider sandboxing debugging tools and implementing strict access controls for systems processing potentially malicious binary content.