Binutils objdump contains a denial-of-service vulnerability when processing a crafted binary with malformed DWARF debug information. A logic error in the handling of DWARF compilation units can result in an invalid offset_size value being used inside byte_get_little_endian, leading to an abort (SIGABRT). The issue was observed in binutils 2.44. A local attacker can trigger the crash by supplying a malicious input file.
Weakness
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
Potential Mitigations
Mitigation of resource exhaustion attacks requires that the target system either:
The first of these solutions is an issue in itself though, since it may allow attackers to prevent the use of the system by a particular valid user. If the attacker impersonates the valid user, they may be able to prevent the user from accessing the server in question.
The second solution is simply difficult to effectively institute – and even when properly done, it does not provide a full solution. It simply makes the attack require more resources on the part of the attacker.
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/147.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/227.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/492.html