CVE-2018-7569 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
dwarf2.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.30, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (integer underflow or overflow, and application crash) via an ELF file with a corrupt DWARF FORM block, as demonstrated by nm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7569 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the Binary File Descriptor library of GNU Binutils 2.30, specifically affecting the dwarf2.c component. This flaw manifests when processing ELF files containing corrupted DWARF FORM blocks, creating a scenario where the application encounters malformed data during symbol table analysis operations. The issue is particularly concerning as it affects the nm utility, which is widely used for extracting symbol information from binary files, making it a potential vector for disrupting system operations across multiple environments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of integer values during the parsing of DWARF debugging information within ELF files. When the BFD library encounters a malformed DWARF FORM block structure, the integer underflow or overflow condition occurs during calculations related to block size or offset parameters. This failure to properly validate input data leads to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash and denial of service. The vulnerability specifically targets the dwarf2.c processing logic where the library attempts to interpret debugging information sections without adequate bounds checking, creating a pathway for malicious input to trigger the integer arithmetic error.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to cause service disruption by crafting specially designed ELF files that trigger the integer overflow condition when processed by any application utilizing the affected BFD library. The nm utility, being a fundamental system tool for symbol inspection, becomes a prime target for exploitation, potentially affecting system administrators, developers, and security analysts who rely on these tools for routine operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that simply encountering a malicious ELF file could lead to system instability, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations and potentially causing cascading failures in automated systems that depend on symbol table analysis.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-7569 involves immediate patching of affected GNU Binutils installations to version 2.31 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly validate DWARF FORM block structures and prevent integer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement input validation measures when processing ELF files from untrusted sources, particularly in automated environments where file analysis is performed without human oversight. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and file scanning systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-191 (Integer Underflow) and CWE-190 (Integer Overflow) categories, representing a classic example of insufficient input validation in binary processing utilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) techniques, as it enables adversaries to cause system disruption through crafted file processing operations.