Vulnerability identifier: #VU16781

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-20623

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Binutils
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause DoS condition or execute arbitrary code.

The vulnerability exists due to use-after-free in the error function in elfcomm.c when called from the process_archive function in readelf.c. A remote attacker can supply a specially crafted ELF file, trigger heap-based buffer overflow and cause the service to crash or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Binutils: 2.31.1

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External links
http://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=24049

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.