CVE-2019-7150 in elfutils
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in elfutils 0.175. A segmentation fault can occur in the function elf64_xlatetom in libelf/elf32_xlatetom.c, due to dwfl_segment_report_module not checking whether the dyn data read from a core file is truncated. A crafted input can cause a program crash, leading to denial-of-service, as demonstrated by eu-stack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7150 represents a critical denial-of-service weakness within the elfutils library version 0.175, specifically affecting the elf64_xlatetom function located in libelf/elf32_xlatetom.c. This flaw stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the dwfl_segment_report_module function which processes dynamic data extracted from core files during debugging operations. The vulnerability manifests when the system attempts to parse corrupted or malformed dynamic information without proper truncation checks, creating a scenario where memory access violations can occur. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects a fundamental debugging and analysis tool that is widely used across various system administration and security analysis workflows, making it a potential target for adversaries seeking to disrupt system operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through careful crafting of input data within core files that contain truncated dynamic information. When the elf64_xlatetom function processes such malformed data, it fails to validate the integrity of the dynamic section headers before attempting to parse them, leading to a segmentation fault during memory dereferencing operations. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper input validation in memory management operations. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient bounds checking during data parsing operations, where the system assumes valid data structures without proper verification mechanisms. The segmentation fault occurs because the function attempts to access memory locations that are either unmapped or improperly formatted due to the truncated dynamic data, resulting in immediate program termination.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7150 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it affects critical system debugging and forensics capabilities that security professionals rely upon. When tools like eu-stack encounter malformed core files, they will crash and terminate unexpectedly, potentially interrupting important security analysis workflows or system troubleshooting procedures. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where automated security scanning or system monitoring tools depend on elfutils functionality, as a single malformed core file could cause cascading failures in security infrastructure. The attack surface is broad since any application or service that utilizes the elfutils library for processing core dumps or debugging information could be affected, including system administrators performing routine maintenance, security analysts conducting incident response, and automated monitoring systems that parse system crash information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7150 should prioritize immediate patching of affected elfutils installations to version 0.176 or later, which includes the necessary validation fixes for dynamic data processing. System administrators should implement strict input validation procedures for core files and debugging data, particularly in environments where external or untrusted data sources are processed. The implementation of robust error handling within applications that utilize elfutils libraries can help prevent cascading failures by catching segmentation faults and implementing graceful degradation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on unexpected program crashes related to elfutils functionality, as these incidents may indicate potential exploitation attempts or system instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1490 - Inhibit System Recovery and T1070 - Indicator Removal on Host, as it can be used to disrupt system analysis capabilities and potentially hide malicious activities by preventing proper debugging and forensics operations.