CVE-2018-7570 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2018-7570, a vulnerability in the BFD library of GNU Binutils 2.30 that could lead to a denial of service attack. Find out how to mitigate and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
A vulnerability in the assign_file_positions_for_non_load_sections function in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, distributed in GNU Binutils version 2.30, could lead to a denial of service attack by causing a NULL pointer dereference and application crash.
Understanding CVE-2018-7570
This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the BFD library that can be exploited to trigger a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2018-7570?
The vulnerability exists in the assign_file_positions_for_non_load_sections function within the BFD library, allowing attackers to crash applications by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference using a specific type of ELF file.
The Impact of CVE-2018-7570
Exploiting this vulnerability could result in a denial of service attack, leading to application crashes and potential disruption of services that rely on the affected library.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-7570
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The assign_file_positions_for_non_load_sections function in the BFD library allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via an ELF file with a RELRO segment lacking a matching LOAD segment.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions: GNU Binutils version 2.30
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by utilizing an ELF file with a RELRO segment that does not have a corresponding LOAD segment, as demonstrated by the objcopy tool.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-7570 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor security advisories for any new information or patches related to this CVE.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
- Implement proper input validation and security checks in applications to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the affected software, in this case, GNU Binutils version 2.30, is updated to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.