Critical Memory Corruption Vulnerability in GNU Binutils
Summary
CVE-2025-5244: A vulnerability was found in GNU Binutils up to 2.44. Affects binutils versions < 2.44-r3. Fixed in 2.44-r3. How to fix ↓
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Background
GNU Binutils is a collection of binary tools essential for the development and management of software applications. It includes tools for assembling, linking, and manipulating binary files, making it a vital component in many software development environments. The vulnerability in question affects versions up to 2.44, exposing systems to potential memory corruption issues.
Vulnerability Detail
A critical vulnerability has been identified in GNU Binutils, specifically within the elf_gc_sweep function located in bfd/elflink.c. This vulnerability allows for memory corruption, which can lead to unpredictable behavior in applications that utilize the affected component. The exploit requires local access to the system, making it a significant risk for environments where multiple users have access. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the urgency for remediation.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.44-r3
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade binutilsTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to upgrade to the patched version of the package.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in GNU Binutils poses a critical risk due to its potential for memory corruption. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to version 2.45 or later to protect their systems. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for binutils →
FAQ
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By uploading a manifest file like package-lock.json, you can check for vulnerabilities in real-time.
No, this vulnerability requires local access to the system to be exploited.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to memory corruption, resulting in application crashes or unpredictable behavior.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to prioritize upgrading the package as soon as possible to mitigate the risk.
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