# CVE-2017-12448: Use after free in n/a

> Remote attackers can trigger a heap use-after-free and potentially execute code via a crafted nested archive file in the BFD library.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 4 Aug 2017
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2017-12448, GHSA-vcp5-9fw7-xm53, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-12448

## What is CVE-2017-12448?

CVE-2017-12448 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 4 Aug 2017. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The bfd_cache_close function in bfd/cache.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause a heap use after free and possibly achieve code execution via a crafted nested archive file. This issue occurs because incorrect functions are called during an attempt to release memory. The issue can be addressed by better input validation in the bfd_generic_archive_p function in bfd/archive.c.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-12448?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Gnu Binutils.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-12448?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2017-12448 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-12448 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Gnu Binutils

- [CVE-2017-7614](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7614/): Null dereference in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2014-9939](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-9939/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-7226](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7226/): Information disclosure in n/a (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2017-6969](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-6969/): Information disclosure in n/a (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2020-19726](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-19726/): Denial of service in n/a (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-12448 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-12448 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 4 Aug 2017. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-12448 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Gnu Binutils. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12448/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12448/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-12448
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12448
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-12448

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12448/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.