CVE-2018-17360 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.31. a heap-based buffer over-read in bfd_getl32 in libbfd.c allows an attacker to cause a denial of service through a crafted PE file. This vulnerability can be triggered by the executable objdump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17360 resides within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, a core component of GNU Binutils version 2.31. This library serves as a foundational element for handling binary file formats across various tools including objdump, which is commonly used for disassembling and displaying information about binary files. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer over-read that occurs specifically within the bfd_getl32 function located in the libbfd.c source file. This type of vulnerability represents a critical security concern as it can be exploited to cause system instability or complete denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer over-read condition where the bfd_getl32 function processes data from a crafted Portable Executable (PE) file without adequate bounds checking. When objdump attempts to analyze such a malformed PE file, the function reads beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially accessing uninitialized or adjacent memory regions. This over-read behavior can lead to unpredictable program execution patterns, memory corruption, or complete application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal operation of the objdump utility, making it accessible to attackers who can craft malicious PE files to exploit this flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-17360 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within systems that rely on BFD library functionality. The vulnerability can affect any system running GNU Binutils 2.31 where objdump or other tools utilizing the BFD library process untrusted binary input. This includes development environments, security analysis tools, and automated systems that may encounter PE files from unknown or untrusted sources. The heap-based nature of the over-read suggests that memory corruption could potentially be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code, though the current analysis indicates primarily denial of service effects. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have plagued binary processing libraries for decades.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on updating to patched versions of GNU Binutils where the buffer over-read has been corrected through proper bounds checking and memory validation. System administrators should immediately upgrade to GNU Binutils 2.32 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced input validation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement defensive measures such as restricting execution of objdump on untrusted binary files and employing sandboxing techniques when processing unknown PE files. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under software exploitation techniques, specifically targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to disrupt system operations. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual objdump execution patterns and potential attempts to trigger buffer over-read conditions through crafted binary inputs, ensuring that such attacks are identified and mitigated before they can cause significant operational disruption.