CVE-2017-7223 : Security Advisory and Response

The GNU assembler in version 2.28 of GNU Binutils has a security vulnerability that can lead to a global buffer overflow, potentially causing a program crash.

Understanding CVE-2017-7223

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in the GNU assembler within GNU Binutils version 2.28.

What is CVE-2017-7223?

The vulnerability in GNU Binutils 2.28 involves a global buffer overflow (size 1) when attempting to unget an EOF character from the input stream, which could result in a program crash.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7223

The security flaw could allow attackers to exploit the buffer overflow, leading to a program crash and potentially enabling further malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7223

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2017-7223 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in GNU Binutils 2.28 allows for a global buffer overflow of size 1 during the process of ungetting an EOF character from the input stream, posing a risk of program instability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating the input stream to trigger the buffer overflow, potentially leading to a program crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-7223, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor.
Monitor for any unusual program behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to minimize the risk of buffer overflows and other common security issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you stay informed about security updates released by GNU Binutils or relevant software vendors to address CVE-2017-7223.