CVE-2019-9073 : Security Advisory and Response

A problem has been identified in the library called Binary File Descriptor (BFD), also known as libbfd, which is included in GNU Binutils version 2.32. This problem involves an unintentional allocation of excessive memory in the function _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables located in the file elf.c.

Understanding CVE-2019-9073

This CVE-2019-9073 vulnerability was published on February 24, 2019.

What is CVE-2019-9073?

CVE-2019-9073 is an issue discovered in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, distributed in GNU Binutils 2.32. It involves attempted excessive memory allocation in _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables in elf.c.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9073

The vulnerability could potentially lead to memory allocation issues and may be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9073

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2019-9073 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The problem lies in an unintentional allocation of excessive memory in the function _bfd_elf_slurp_version_tables in the file elf.c within the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to trigger a denial of service condition or potentially execute arbitrary code on systems running the affected GNU Binutils version 2.32.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2019-9073.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of GNU Binutils that addresses the memory allocation issue.
Monitor for any unusual memory consumption or system behavior that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement proper input validation and boundary checks in software development to prevent memory-related vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from relevant vendors and promptly apply patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.