CVE-2019-7664 in elfutils
Summary
by MITRE
In elfutils 0.175, a negative-sized memcpy is attempted in elf_cvt_note in libelf/note_xlate.h because of an incorrect overflow check. Crafted elf input causes a segmentation fault, leading to denial of service (program crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7664 represents a critical memory safety issue within the elfutils library version 0.175, specifically affecting the elf_cvt_note function located in libelf/note_xlate.h. This flaw manifests as a negative-sized memcpy operation that occurs due to an improper overflow check implementation. The vulnerability arises when processing crafted elf input files that contain malformed note sections, triggering unexpected behavior in the memory management routines. The root cause lies in the insufficient validation of input parameters before memory operations are executed, creating a scenario where the system attempts to copy a negative number of bytes, which fundamentally violates memory access principles and leads to immediate program termination.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition that stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation mechanisms. When the elfutils library processes ELF files containing malicious note sections, the overflow check fails to properly validate the size parameters, allowing negative values to propagate through the system. This condition directly violates the fundamental security principle that all memory operations must have valid bounds checking. The implementation error creates a scenario where the memcpy function receives a negative size parameter, causing the memory subsystem to behave unpredictably and ultimately resulting in a segmentation fault. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems that fail to properly validate input data before processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7664 extends beyond simple program crashes, as it represents a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt legitimate system operations. Systems that rely on elfutils for processing ELF files, including those used for system diagnostics, debugging, and binary analysis, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The segmentation fault that occurs during processing can affect critical infrastructure components, debugging tools, and system monitoring applications that depend on proper ELF file handling. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where automated processing of binary files occurs, as an attacker could craft malicious ELF files to crash processes that perform routine file analysis, potentially leading to extended service disruption and system instability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7664 should prioritize immediate patching of the elfutils library to version 0.176 or later, which contains the corrected overflow validation logic. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation procedures for all ELF file processing activities, including the deployment of sandboxed environments for analyzing suspicious binary files. The fix addresses the underlying overflow check by ensuring proper parameter validation before memory operations are executed, preventing negative-sized memcpy operations from occurring. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual patterns in ELF file processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of all components that utilize elfutils, particularly in environments where binary file analysis is performed routinely, as this vulnerability could be leveraged in broader attack campaigns targeting system stability and availability. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service indicates its potential for being used in coordinated attacks against system availability, making proactive mitigation essential for maintaining operational resilience.