CVE-2018-7643 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
The display_debug_ranges function in dwarf.c in GNU Binutils 2.30 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (integer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file, as demonstrated by objdump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7643 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the GNU Binutils 2.30 distribution, specifically affecting the dwarf.c file's display_debug_ranges function. This issue manifests when processing malformed ELF files through the objdump utility, creating a remote attack vector that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation. The flaw resides in the handling of debug information structures within ELF binaries, where improper integer arithmetic allows attackers to craft malicious input that triggers unexpected behavior in the binary analysis tool.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and integer overflow protection within the debug range display functionality. When objdump encounters a specially crafted ELF file containing malformed debug information, the display_debug_ranges function performs arithmetic operations that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer type being used. This overflow condition causes the application to behave unpredictably, potentially leading to memory corruption or complete application crash. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-191 as an integer underflow or overflow, specifically demonstrating how improper handling of debug information can result in system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to security infrastructure and development environments that rely on GNU Binutils for binary analysis. Attackers can remotely exploit this flaw by providing malicious ELF files to systems running objdump or other affected tools, potentially causing denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate system operations. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the integer overflow may create conditions that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks, particularly in environments where automated binary analysis processes are employed. This vulnerability affects the broader software supply chain since many development and security tools depend on binutils for analysis capabilities.
The exploitation of CVE-2018-7643 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through binary implants and T1499.004 for network denial of service. Organizations utilizing GNU Binutils in production environments face potential compromise through this vulnerability, particularly in automated build systems, security scanning tools, or continuous integration pipelines that process untrusted binary inputs. The attack surface expands to include any system that processes ELF files through objdump or similar tools, making this a widespread concern across development and security operations. Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate patching of GNU Binutils to version 2.31 or later, along with implementing additional input validation measures for binary analysis workflows. Security teams should also consider network segmentation and monitoring for unusual objdump activity to detect potential exploitation attempts.