GNU binutils 2.31 libbfd merge.c merge_strings null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU binutils 2.31. It has been classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function merge_strings of the file merge.c of the component libbfd. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2018-18606. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU binutils 2.31 (Programming Tool Software). It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function merge_strings of the file merge.c of the component libbfd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

An issue was discovered in the merge_strings function in merge.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.31. There is a NULL pointer dereference in _bfd_add_merge_section when attempting to merge sections with large alignments. A specially crafted ELF allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service, as demonstrated by ld.

The bug was discovered 10/23/2018. The weakness was disclosed 10/23/2018 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at securityfocus.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2018-18606 since 10/23/2018. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

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 105754†). The entries VDB-125906 and VDB-125908 are pretty similar. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: 45a0eaf77022963d639d6d19871dbab7b79703fc

Timelineinfo

10/23/2018 🔍
10/23/2018 +0 days 🔍
10/23/2018 +0 days 🔍
10/23/2018 +0 days 🔍
10/23/2018 +0 days 🔍
10/24/2018 +1 days 🔍
05/30/2023 +1679 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: gnu.org

Advisory: USN-4336-1⛔
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2018-18606 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2018-18606
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-125907
SecurityFocus: 105754 - GNU Binutils Multiple Security Vulnerabilities

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 10/24/2018 06:47
Updated: 05/30/2023 18:31
Changes: 10/24/2018 06:47 (61), 04/06/2020 11:01 (4), 05/30/2023 18:31 (4)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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