CVE-2017-16827 Memory corruption in n/a

High 7.8 Published 15 Nov 2017 Updated 5 Aug 2024

A crafted ELF file triggers an invalid free in the BFD library, causing a denial of service via application crash.

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-2017-16827?

CVE-2017-16827 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 15 Nov 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 aout_get_external_symbols function in aoutx.h in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (slurp_symtab invalid free and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-16827?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Gnu Binutils.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16827?

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-2017-16827 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-16827 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Gnu Binutils vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2017-16827, GHSA-8jw4-p3wc-h2jp, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-16827.