CVE-2017-12453 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library in GNU Binutils versions 2.29 and earlier allows remote attackers to trigger an out-of-bounds heap read.

Understanding CVE-2017-12453

The function _bfd_vms_slurp_eeom in the libbfd.c file of the BFD library is susceptible to exploitation.

What is CVE-2017-12453?

The vulnerability in the _bfd_vms_slurp_eeom function allows remote attackers to cause an out-of-bounds heap read by using a specially crafted vms alpha file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12453

This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger an out-of-bounds heap read, potentially leading to information disclosure or denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12453

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in the BFD library.

Vulnerability Description

The _bfd_vms_slurp_eeom function in libbfd.c in GNU Binutils 2.29 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause an out-of-bounds heap read via a crafted vms alpha file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions prior to 2.29

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by using a specially crafted vms alpha file to trigger an out-of-bounds heap read.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2017-12453.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Binutils to version 2.29 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to prevent remote exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability in the BFD library.