CVE-2017-15996 Memory corruption in n/a

High 7.8 Published 29 Oct 2017 Updated 5 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can cause denial of service or potential code execution via crafted ELF files in GNU Binutils readelf.

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

What is CVE-2017-15996?

CVE-2017-15996 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 29 Oct 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

elfcomm.c in readelf in GNU Binutils 2.29 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (excessive memory allocation) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file that triggers a "buffer overflow on fuzzed archive header," related to an uninitialized variable, an improper conditional jump, and the get_archive_member_name, process_archive_index_and_symbols, and setup_archive functions.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-15996?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Gnu Binutils.

How do I fix CVE-2017-15996?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2017-15996 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-15996 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Gnu Binutils vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2017-15996, GHSA-575w-2h42-5mmg, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-15996.