CVE-2017-12449 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2017-12449 affecting GNU Binutils up to version 2.29. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this out-of-bounds heap read vulnerability.
A vulnerability was found in the _bfd_vms_save_sized_string function in vms-misc.c file in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, part of the GNU Binutils distribution.
Understanding CVE-2017-12449
This CVE affects versions up to 2.29 of GNU Binutils, allowing an attacker to trigger an out-of-bounds heap read by sending a specially crafted vms file.
What is CVE-2017-12449?
The vulnerability in the _bfd_vms_save_sized_string function in the BFD library enables remote attackers to cause an out-of-bounds heap read through a maliciously crafted vms file.
The Impact of CVE-2017-12449
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trigger an out-of-bounds heap read, potentially leading to information disclosure or denial of service.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-12449
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The _bfd_vms_save_sized_string function in vms-misc.c in the BFD library allows remote attackers to perform an out-of-bounds heap read via a specially crafted vms file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Versions up to 2.29 of GNU Binutils are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted vms file to trigger an out-of-bounds heap read.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12449 is crucial to maintaining security.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by the vendor to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor and restrict network access to potentially vulnerable systems.
- Implement strong file validation mechanisms to prevent the execution of malicious vms files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories and updates from GNU Binutils to apply patches promptly.