CVE-2018-6543 : Security Advisory and Response

GNU Binutils 2.30's load_specific_debug_section() function experiences an integer overflow issue, leading to a vulnerability that can be exploited using a specially crafted ELF file.

Understanding CVE-2018-6543

What is CVE-2018-6543?

CVE-2018-6543 is a vulnerability in GNU Binutils 2.30 that allows an attacker to trigger an integer overflow in the load_specific_debug_section() function, potentially resulting in a denial of service or other consequences.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6543

The vulnerability in CVE-2018-6543 can lead to a denial of service (application crash) or potentially other unidentified consequences when exploited by a malicious actor using a specially crafted ELF file.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6543

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from an integer overflow in the load_specific_debug_section() function in objdump.c, causing

malloc()

to be called with a size of 0, which can be exploited by an attacker.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GNU Binutils 2.30
Version: All versions are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using a specially crafted ELF file to trigger the integer overflow in the load_specific_debug_section() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by the vendor
Avoid opening untrusted ELF files

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions
Implement proper input validation and sanitization in applications

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to apply the patches released by GNU Binutils to address the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.