Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU binutils up to 2.29 and classified as critical. The affected element is the function bfd_xcoff_read_ar_hdr of the file bfd/coff-rs6000.c of the component libbfd. Executing a manipulation can lead to out-of-bounds. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2017-12451. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in GNU binutils up to 2.29 (Programming Tool Software) and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function bfd_xcoff_read_ar_hdr of the file bfd/coff-rs6000.c of the component libbfd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The _bfd_xcoff_read_ar_hdr function in bfd/coff-rs6000.c and bfd/coff64-rs6000.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause an out of bounds stack read via a crafted COFF image file.

The bug was discovered 07/19/2017. The weakness was released 08/04/2017 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at sourceware.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2017-12451 since 08/04/2017. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 16 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 277638 (Fedora Security Update for binutils (FEDORA-2019-ba3cbcfd20)).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at SecurityFocus (BID 100499†). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-104833, VDB-104834, VDB-104835 and VDB-104837. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Tool Software

Vendor

• GNU

Name

• binutils

Version

• 2.0
• 2.1
• 2.2
• 2.3
• 2.4
• 2.5
• 2.6
• 2.7
• 2.8
• 2.9
• 2.10
• 2.11
• 2.12
• 2.13
• 2.14
• 2.15
• 2.16
• 2.17
• 2.18
• 2.19
• 2.20
• 2.21
• 2.22
• 2.23
• 2.24
• 2.25
• 2.26
• 2.27
• 2.28
• 2.29

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.gnu.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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