CVE-2017-15938 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2017-15938, a vulnerability in the BFD library of GNU Binutils 2.29 that allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service and potentially crash applications. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures here.
The Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library in GNU Binutils 2.29 has a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service, potentially crashing affected applications.
Understanding CVE-2017-15938
What is CVE-2017-15938?
The vulnerability in the dwarf2.c file of the BFD library incorrectly calculates DW_FORM_ref_addr die refs in relocatable object files, leading to a denial of service.
The Impact of CVE-2017-15938
The vulnerability enables remote attackers to cause a denial of service, invalid memory reads, segmentation faults, and potential application crashes.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-15938
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in the BFD library allows attackers to exploit the find_abstract_instance_name function, resulting in a denial of service.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: n/a
- Vendor: n/a
- Versions: n/a
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating DW_FORM_ref_addr die refs in relocatable object files, causing memory read errors and application crashes.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly.
- Monitor vendor advisories for updates and security alerts.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
- Implement network security measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.
Patching and Updates
- Check for patches and updates from the vendor's official website.
- Apply security updates to all affected systems to mitigate the vulnerability.