CVE-2022-38533 in Binutils
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2022
In GNU Binutils before 2.4.0, there is a heap-buffer-overflow in the error function bfd_getl32 when called from the strip_main function in strip-new via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38533 represents a critical heap buffer overflow condition within GNU Binutils version 2.39 and earlier, specifically affecting the bfd_getl32 function during processing by the strip_main function in strip-new utility. This flaw manifests when the software encounters maliciously crafted input files that trigger improper memory handling within the binary processing pipeline. The vulnerability resides in the binary file handling subsystem where the bfd_getl32 function attempts to read 32-bit values from memory locations without adequate bounds checking, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed input file that manipulates the strip-new utility's parsing logic. When the strip utility processes such malformed input, it calls bfd_getl32 function which attempts to extract 32-bit values from memory regions that may not contain sufficient data. This improper memory access pattern creates a heap buffer overflow condition where adjacent memory locations become overwritten, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the strip-new component which is part of the broader GNU Binutils suite used for manipulating binary files and object code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process untrusted binary files or perform automated stripping operations on user-provided content. Attackers could craft malicious binary files designed to trigger this overflow during normal processing operations, potentially leading to remote code execution in environments where strip-new is invoked automatically or where users process untrusted binaries. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the heap corruption could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or system compromise, particularly in environments where these tools are used in automated build processes or security-sensitive applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-38533 should prioritize immediate upgrading to GNU Binutils version 2.4.0 or later where the heap buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking implementation. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to prevent processing of untrusted binary files through strip-new utility, particularly in automated environments. Security teams should monitor for any exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis or system logs that might indicate attempts to leverage this vulnerability. The fix implemented in the patched versions follows established security practices for preventing heap buffer overflows, aligning with CWE-121 and CWE-125 categories related to heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and addresses the underlying memory management issues that enable the exploitation pathway identified in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for execution through command-line interfaces.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in security-critical software components and highlights how seemingly routine file processing operations can become attack vectors when inadequate bounds checking is implemented. This case represents a classic example of how buffer overflow vulnerabilities in system utilities can have far-reaching consequences, particularly when these tools are used in automated security workflows or development environments where they process potentially malicious inputs without proper sanitization measures.