"CVE-2022-48065: Understanding the Memory Leak Vulnerability in GNU Binutils before 2.40 and its Exploit"

The GNU Binary Utilities, or Binutils, is a collection of programming tools for creating and managing binary programs, object files, libraries, profile data, and assembly source code. They play a critical role in the operations of our software ecosystem. However, a recent vulnerability discovered in the GNU Binutils before version 2.40 has raised concerns about the security and reliability of these essential tools.

This long read post aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding CVE-2022-48065, a vulnerability caused by a memory leak in the GNU Binutils before version 2.40. We will discuss the details of the vulnerability, the code snippet where it was found, its implications, and recommendations to address the issue. With proper understanding and mitigation of the CVE-2022-48065 vulnerability, developers and system administrators can ensure the security and stability of their software applications.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE-2022-48065 is a vulnerability in GNU Binutils before 2.40, caused by a memory leak in the function find_abstract_instance() in the dwarf2.c file. As a result, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by consuming system resources, ultimately leading to system crashes or significant degradation in performance.

The following is the code snippet from the dwarf2.c file that contains the vulnerability

static void
find_abstract_instance (void * item, void * data)
{
  struct dwarf2_debug *stash = (struct dwarf2_debug *) data;
  struct die_info *die = (struct die_info *) item;
  unsigned int abbrev_number = read_unsigned_leb128 (NULL, &die->abbrev_loc);
  if (abbrev_number != stash->specific_die->abbrev_number)
    return;
  stash->abstract_die = die;
}

Exploit Details

The memory leak vulnerability arises from the improper handling of memory resources in the find_abstract_instance() function. When this function is repeatedly invoked, memory is allocated for the resources but not properly released. Consequently, this memory bloat gradually consumes system resources over time, leading to system instability, crashes, or overall degradation in performance.

Given the widespread usage and importance of GNU Binutils in managing program binaries and object files across various platforms, this vulnerability can have far-reaching consequences in terms of system security and stability.

An attacker who can control or tamper with the input data stream for the GNU Binutils before version 2.40 can exploit this vulnerability, causing denial of service to the affected system. Depending on the application and specific use case, the impact of such a vulnerability ranges from minor to severe.

References and Additional Resources

For more information about the CVE-2022-48065 vulnerability and technical details, please refer to the following resources:

- GNU Binutils Official Website: https://www.gnu.org/software/binutils/
- CVE Details - CVE-2022-48065: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-48065
- NVD - CVE-2022-48065: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-48065

Recommendations

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-48065, it is highly recommended to update your GNU Binutils to version 2.40 or later as soon as possible. By doing so, you can ensure the proper handling of memory resources in the find_abstract_instance() function and prevent potential exploits or system crashes due to this memory leak vulnerability.

Furthermore, you should always practice proper code sanitization and best practices for handling user input, resources, and data management. By following the guidelines and recommendations provided by the GNU Binutils project and other industry experts, you can ensure the security and stability of your applications built with GNU Binutils.

In conclusion, CVE-2022-48065 is a critical memory leak vulnerability that, if not properly addressed, can cause serious disruptions and security risks for systems using affected GNU Binutils versions. By understanding the details of this vulnerability, updating to the latest version, and adhering to best practices, developers and system administrators can ensure the security and stability of their software applications.

Timeline

Published on: 08/22/2023 19:16:31 UTC
Last modified on: 11/15/2023 02:36:07 UTC