CVE-2017-7225 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2017-7225 affecting GNU Binutils version 2.28. Discover the impact, technical details, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
CVE-2017-7225 was published on March 22, 2017, and affects the addr2line program in GNU Binutils version 2.28. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of empty main file names and directory names, leading to a program crash.
Understanding CVE-2017-7225
This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the GNU Binutils version 2.28 that can result in a program crash due to a NULL pointer dereference and an invalid write operation.
What is CVE-2017-7225?
The function find_nearest_line in the addr2line program of GNU Binutils version 2.28 does not handle situations where the main file name and the directory name are both empty. This flaw triggers a NULL pointer dereference and an invalid write operation, ultimately causing the program to crash.
The Impact of CVE-2017-7225
The vulnerability can be exploited to crash the affected program, potentially leading to denial of service or other security implications.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-7225
CVE-2017-7225 involves the following technical aspects:
Vulnerability Description
The find_nearest_line function in addr2line in GNU Binutils 2.28 mishandles cases where both the main file name and directory name are empty, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference and an invalid write operation, leading to a program crash.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Version: GNU Binutils version 2.28
- Systems using this specific version are vulnerable to the described issue.
Exploitation Mechanism
- Exploiting this vulnerability requires crafting a specific input that triggers the find_nearest_line function with empty main file and directory names, leading to the crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2017-7225, consider the following mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update to a patched version of GNU Binutils that addresses the vulnerability.
- Implement proper input validation to prevent triggering the vulnerable function.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to patched versions to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and code reviews to identify and address similar issues proactively.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches to fix vulnerabilities like CVE-2017-7225.