CVE-2018-18700 : What You Need to Know

A problem was found in cp-demangle.c in GNU libiberty, which is included in GNU Binutils 2.31. The issue involves excessive usage of the stack due to endless recursive calls in the functions d_name(), d_encoding(), and d_local_name() within cp-demangle.c. Exploiting this vulnerability, remote attackers could trigger a denial-of-service attack by using a specially crafted ELF file, as exemplified by nm.

Understanding CVE-2018-18700

This CVE entry describes a stack consumption vulnerability in GNU libiberty, affecting GNU Binutils 2.31.

What is CVE-2018-18700?

CVE-2018-18700 is a vulnerability in GNU libiberty, impacting the stack due to infinite recursion in specific functions, potentially leading to a denial-of-service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18700

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely to cause a denial-of-service by utilizing a malicious ELF file.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18700

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from excessive stack usage caused by recursive calls in d_name(), d_encoding(), and d_local_name() functions within cp-demangle.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: GNU Binutils 2.31
Affected Versions: Not specified

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting a malicious ELF file to trigger a denial-of-service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18700 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual stack usage patterns that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement stack protection mechanisms to limit the impact of stack-based vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from GNU Binutils and related software vendors to apply patches promptly.