CVE-2023-1972 in binutils
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2023
A potential heap based buffer overflow was found in _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables() in bfd/elf.c. This may lead to loss of availability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1972 represents a heap-based buffer overflow within the binary file descriptor library of the GNU binutils project. This flaw exists in the _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables() function located in bfd/elf.c, which is responsible for processing ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files during the version table parsing operation. The issue arises when the function processes malformed or specially crafted ELF files that contain excessive version information, leading to improper memory allocation and subsequent buffer overflow conditions in the heap memory region.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of version tables within ELF files. When the _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables() function encounters version information that exceeds predetermined memory allocation limits, it fails to validate the size parameters before proceeding with memory operations. This oversight allows an attacker to craft malicious ELF files that trigger memory corruption when processed by tools relying on the affected library. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the corruption occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions rather than on the stack, making exploitation more complex but still potentially devastating. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122 as "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" and represents a critical weakness in memory safety mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1972 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise when exploited in the right context. Systems that process untrusted ELF files, such as malware analysis platforms, package managers, or build systems, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The loss of availability aspect indicates that exploitation could result in application crashes or system instability, though the potential for more severe consequences including privilege escalation or remote code execution cannot be ruled out. This vulnerability affects numerous security tools and development environments that depend on the GNU binutils library for processing binary files, creating widespread exposure across the cybersecurity ecosystem. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a software vulnerability exploitation technique under the broader category of privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through library manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1972 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest versions of GNU binutils that contain the necessary memory safety fixes. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all ELF files processed by their systems, particularly those from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all systems utilizing the affected library have been properly updated. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual processing patterns that might indicate attempts to trigger the buffer overflow condition, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation scenarios involving this specific vulnerability.