CVE-2017-7301 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in the GNU Binutils 2.28 library, specifically in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) module (libbfd). The off-by-one vulnerability in the aout_link_add_symbols function could lead to a crash in the GNU linker (ld) program.

Understanding CVE-2017-7301

This CVE-2017-7301 vulnerability affects the GNU Binutils 2.28 library due to an off-by-one issue in the BFD module.

What is CVE-2017-7301?

The vulnerability is located in the aout_link_add_symbols function in bfd/aoutx.h, resulting from inadequate validation of the string offset.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7301

The vulnerability could potentially cause a crash in the GNU linker (ld) program, affecting the stability and reliability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7301

The technical aspects of the CVE-2017-7301 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The off-by-one vulnerability in the aout_link_add_symbols function within the BFD module of GNU Binutils 2.28.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient validation of the string offset, allowing for potential crashes in the GNU linker (ld) program.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-7301, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor.
Monitor security advisories for any further developments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of patches and updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.