Critical Denial of Service Vulnerability in elfutils Package
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2018-16402: libelf/elf_end.c in elfutils 0.173 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (double free and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact because it tries to decompress twice. Affects elfutils versions < 0.174-r0. Fixed in 0.174-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
The elfutils package is a collection of utilities for handling ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files, commonly used in Unix-like operating systems. It provides tools for inspecting and manipulating ELF binaries, making it essential for developers and system administrators. However, a vulnerability has been identified in version 0.173 of elfutils, which can lead to severe security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2018-16402, originates from a flaw in the libelf/elf_end.c file within elfutils version 0.173. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the software by causing a denial of service through a double free error, leading to application crashes. The vulnerability can also potentially allow for other unspecified impacts, making it critical for users of the package to address it promptly. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.174-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade elfutilsTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can limit access to the elfutils utilities or disable any features that rely on the affected functionality until the package is updated. However, this is not a permanent solution and updating the package is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The CVE-2018-16402 vulnerability in the elfutils package poses a significant risk, allowing for denial of service attacks and potentially other impacts. Users are strongly advised to update to the patched version 0.174-r0 to ensure their systems remain secure. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
CVE-2018-16402 is a vulnerability in the elfutils package that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially other impacts due to a double free error.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
The primary impact is a denial of service, which can crash applications using elfutils. There may also be other unspecified impacts due to the nature of the vulnerability.
Yes, a patched version of the elfutils package (0.174-r0) is available. Users should update to this version to mitigate the vulnerability.
If immediate updating is not possible, consider limiting access to the elfutils utilities or disabling related features until the update can be applied.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for elfutils.
