GNU binutils 2.29.1 libbfd memory corruption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in GNU binutils 2.29.1. Affected is an unknown function of the component libbfd. Performing a manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2017-17121. Attacking locally is a requirement. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU binutils 2.29.1 (Programming Tool Software). It has been classified as critical. This affects some unknown functionality of the component libbfd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory access violation) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a COFF binary in which a relocation refers to a location after the end of the to-be-relocated section.

The bug was discovered 11/28/2017. The weakness was published 12/04/2017 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at sourceware.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2017-17121 since 12/04/2017. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 6 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 119162 (GLSA-201811-17 : Binutils: Multiple vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Gentoo Local Security Checks and running in the context l.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 2 years after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (119162). Similar entries are available at VDB-107299, VDB-110111, VDB-110176 and VDB-110177. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Tool Software

Vendor

• GNU

Name

• binutils

Version

• 2.29.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.gnu.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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