#VU38808 Stack-based buffer overflow in Binutils - CVE-2017-9954

Vulnerability identifier: #VU38808

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2017-9954

CWE-ID: CWE-121

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

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

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the getvalue function in tekhex.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed when processing a crafted tekhex file, as demonstrated by mishandling within the nm program. A remote unauthenticated attacker can trigger stack-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Binutils: 2.28

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External links
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/99307
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201709-02
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=21670

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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