CVE-2019-9074 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2019-9074, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in GNU Binutils 2.32, potentially leading to a segmentation fault. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
A problem was found in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library, also known as libbfd, found in GNU Binutils 2.32. This issue involves reading beyond the allocated memory, leading to a segmentation fault (SEGV) in bfd_getl32 located in libbfd.c when called from pex64_get_runtime_function in pei-x86_64.c.
Understanding CVE-2019-9074
This CVE entry pertains to a vulnerability in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library within GNU Binutils 2.32.
What is CVE-2019-9074?
CVE-2019-9074 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the BFD library, potentially resulting in a segmentation fault when specific functions are called.
The Impact of CVE-2019-9074
The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-9074
This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The issue involves an out-of-bounds read in the bfd_getl32 function within the libbfd.c file of GNU Binutils 2.32, triggered when called from pex64_get_runtime_function in pei-x86_64.c.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: GNU Binutils 2.32
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability occurs due to reading beyond the allocated memory, leading to a segmentation fault when specific functions are invoked.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-9074 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches or updates promptly to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor vendor advisories and security sources for any new information or patches.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
- Implement strong access controls and network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses.
- Stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices to enhance overall cybersecurity posture.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the affected software, in this case, GNU Binutils, is updated to a patched version that addresses the out-of-bounds read vulnerability.