CVE-2022-48064 in Binutils
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2023
GNU Binutils before 2.40 was discovered to contain an excessive memory consumption vulnerability via the function bfd_dwarf2_find_nearest_line_with_alt at dwarf2.c. The attacker could supply a crafted ELF file and cause a DNS attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-48064 represents a critical memory consumption flaw within GNU Binutils version 2.40 and earlier releases. This issue manifests specifically within the bfd_dwarf2_find_nearest_line_with_alt function located in the dwarf2.c source file, where the software fails to properly manage memory allocation during processing of debugging information. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and memory handling when parsing ELF files containing crafted DWARF debugging sections, creating a scenario where maliciously constructed binary files can trigger excessive memory usage patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of ELF file structures, particularly those containing DWARF debugging information that has been deliberately crafted to cause memory allocation exhaustion. When the bfd_dwarf2_find_nearest_line_with_alt function processes these malformed inputs, it enters into memory-intensive operations that can rapidly consume system resources. This behavior aligns with CWE-400 which categorizes excessive resource consumption vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the improper handling of resource allocation in software components. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with denial of service attacks where the attacker's goal is to exhaust available memory resources rather than directly compromising system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-48064 extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios including DNS-based attacks as mentioned in the vulnerability description. When systems process malicious ELF files through tools like objdump, readelf, or other binutils components that utilize the vulnerable function, they become susceptible to memory exhaustion attacks. This vulnerability affects various system components that depend on GNU Binutils for binary analysis and debugging information processing, potentially impacting build systems, security scanning tools, and automated analysis platforms. The attack vector through DNS suggests that this vulnerability could be exploited in environments where binary analysis is performed on untrusted input, such as package repositories, malware analysis systems, or automated code review platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-48064 focus primarily on updating to GNU Binutils version 2.40 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory consumption issue. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those handling untrusted binary input or operating in security-sensitive environments. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and sandboxing mechanisms for binary processing can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for resource exhaustion attacks emphasizes the importance of monitoring system resources and implementing automated detection mechanisms for unusual memory consumption patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process external binary files, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious file delivery mechanisms.