CVE-2022-39170 in libdwarf
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2022
libdwarf 0.4.1 has a double free in _dwarf_exec_frame_instr in dwarf_frame.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-39170 represents a critical double free error within the libdwarf library version 0.4.1, specifically in the _dwarf_exec_frame_instr function located in the dwarf_frame.c source file. This memory corruption flaw occurs during the processing of DWARF (Debugging With Attributed Record Formats) frame information, which is essential for debugging and program analysis tools. The issue manifests when the library handles malformed or specially crafted debug information, leading to improper memory management during the execution frame instruction processing phase. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and can have severe implications for systems that rely on proper debug information handling.
The technical implementation of this double free vulnerability stems from the improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within the frame instruction execution logic. When the _dwarf_exec_frame_instr function processes certain debug frame data, it fails to properly track memory references, resulting in the same memory block being freed twice. This occurs due to flawed conditional logic or missing validation checks that should prevent duplicate deallocations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because DWARF debugging information is commonly embedded in compiled binaries and is processed by various tools including debuggers, profilers, and security analysis utilities. The flaw exists in the core memory management routines of the library, making it difficult to predict and prevent without comprehensive code review and patching.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-39170 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially enable remote code execution or denial of service attacks depending on how the vulnerable library is used. Systems that process untrusted binary files or debug information, such as security scanners, malware analysis platforms, and automated build systems, become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability can be triggered through malformed debug information embedded in ELF files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where arbitrary code execution or analysis of unknown binaries is common. This issue aligns with CWE-415 which describes duplicate free conditions in software, and represents a classic example of how memory safety flaws in foundational libraries can create widespread security implications across multiple applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the libdwarf library to version 0.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the double free condition. Organizations should prioritize updating all systems that utilize libdwarf, particularly those in security-sensitive environments such as penetration testing tools, malware analysis frameworks, and continuous integration pipelines. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address sanitizer or memory protection mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider monitoring for suspicious file processing activities and implementing strict validation of debug information before processing. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for execution of malicious code through debugging tools, and T1587.001 for development tools and libraries that could be used to compromise systems through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential uses of the affected library within their infrastructure.