CVE-2019-9071 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in GNU libiberty, as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.32. It is a stack consumption issue in d_count_templates_scopes in cp-demangle.c after many recursive calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9071 represents a critical stack consumption issue within GNU libiberty, a component that forms part of the GNU Binutils 2.32 distribution. This flaw specifically manifests in the d_count_templates_scopes function located within the cp-demangle.c file, which is responsible for demangling C++ symbols during binary processing operations. The issue arises from the function's handling of deeply nested template scopes that result in excessive stack consumption through recursive function calls, creating a potential denial of service condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the recursive nature of the d_count_templates_scopes function, which processes C++ template demangling operations without adequate stack depth limitations. When confronted with malformed or excessively nested template symbol structures, the function engages in deep recursion that rapidly consumes available stack space. This recursive traversal pattern, combined with the absence of stack depth monitoring mechanisms, allows an attacker to craft specially designed input that triggers unlimited recursion, ultimately leading to stack overflow conditions that can crash the application or potentially enable further exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the level of symbol demangling within compiler toolchains, making it particularly dangerous in environments where binary analysis and debugging tools are extensively used.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9071 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can affect any system utilizing GNU Binutils 2.32 for processing binary files containing C++ symbols. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing maliciously crafted binary inputs to tools such as objdump, nm, or other utilities that depend on libiberty's demangling capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated build systems, security analysis tools, and debugging environments where these tools process untrusted binary data. The flaw aligns with CWE-674, which classifies it as an Uncontrolled Recursion vulnerability, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, representing Exploitation for Defense Evasion through resource exhaustion attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9071 primarily involve updating to patched versions of GNU Binutils, specifically versions 2.33 and later where the recursive stack consumption issue has been addressed through the implementation of stack depth limits and iterative processing approaches. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where binary analysis tools process untrusted inputs. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls, limiting the scope of binary processing operations, and configuring sandboxed environments for handling potentially malicious binary content. The fix typically involves modifying the demangling algorithm to prevent unlimited recursion while maintaining full functionality for legitimate use cases, thus addressing the underlying CWE-674 vulnerability through proper recursion bounds enforcement.