CVE-2018-7208 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2018-7208 affecting GNU Binutils 2.30. Remote attackers can exploit the Binary File Descriptor library vulnerability to cause denial of service or execute arbitrary code.
CVE-2018-7208 was published on February 18, 2018, and affects the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library in GNU Binutils 2.30. The vulnerability in the coff_pointerize_aux function allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially achieve other effects by exploiting a manipulated file.
Understanding CVE-2018-7208
This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library in GNU Binutils 2.30 that could be exploited by remote attackers.
What is CVE-2018-7208?
The function coff_pointerize_aux in the coffgen.c file of the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library lacks validation of an index, enabling remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) or potentially achieve other unspecified effects by exploiting a manipulated file.
The Impact of CVE-2018-7208
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code by manipulating a file using the objcopy command on a COFF object file.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-7208
This section provides more technical details about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The coff_pointerize_aux function in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library does not validate an index, leading to the potential for a denial of service (DoS) attack or other unspecified impacts when processing a crafted file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: n/a
- Vendor: n/a
- Version: n/a
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers through a manipulated file, such as using the objcopy command on a COFF object file.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-7208, follow these mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches and updates promptly.
- Avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
- Monitor security advisories for any new information.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
- Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious activities.
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing.
Patching and Updates
- Check for security updates from the vendor regularly.
- Apply patches as soon as they are available to mitigate the risk of exploitation.