# CVE-2017-9747: Memory corruption in n/a

> A buffer overflow in the BFD library allows attackers to cause denial of service or potentially execute code via crafted binary files.

- **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:** 19 Jun 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2017-9747, GHSA-256q-5j64-52vj, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-9747

## What is CVE-2017-9747?

CVE-2017-9747 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 19 Jun 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 ieee_archive_p function in bfd/ieee.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.28, might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted binary file, as demonstrated by mishandling of this file during "objdump -D" execution. NOTE: this may be related to a compiler bug.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-9747?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Gnu Binutils.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-9747?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2017-9747 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-9747 exists.

Public exploit code:

- GNU binutils - 'bfd_get_string' Stack Buffer Overflow (exploitdb)

## 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-2017-9747 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-9747 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 19 Jun 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: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-9747 exists.

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-2017-9747/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9747/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-9747
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-9747
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-9747

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9747/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.