CVE-2018-9996 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A problem has been found in cplus-dem.c, which is part of the GNU libiberty package distributed with GNU Binutils 2.30. The issue leads to Stack Exhaustion when using the C++ demangling functions provided by libiberty.

Understanding CVE-2018-9996

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the GNU libiberty package distributed with GNU Binutils 2.30, specifically in the cplus-dem.c file.

What is CVE-2018-9996?

An issue in cplus-dem.c in GNU libiberty, as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.30, causes Stack Exhaustion in the C++ demangling functions provided by libiberty. Recursive stack frames include demangle_template_value_parm, demangle_integral_value, and demangle_expression.

The Impact of CVE-2018-9996

The vulnerability can lead to Stack Exhaustion, potentially causing denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-9996

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises in cplus-dem.c within the GNU libiberty package, affecting the C++ demangling functions and leading to Stack Exhaustion.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions of GNU Binutils 2.30 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited through the misuse of the C++ demangling functions provided by libiberty, triggering recursive stack frames.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-9996 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual stack behavior that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement stack protection mechanisms to prevent Stack Exhaustion attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that GNU Binutils 2.30 is updated to a patched version that addresses the Stack Exhaustion issue.