Critical Null Pointer Dereference in GNU elfutils Package
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2025-1371: A vulnerability has been found in GNU elfutils 0.192 and classified as problematic. Affects elfutils versions < 0.190-1.1ubuntu0.1. Fixed in 0.190-1.1ubuntu0.1. How to fix ↓
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Background
GNU elfutils is a collection of utilities and libraries for handling ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files, which are commonly used in Unix-like operating systems. It provides tools for debugging and analyzing binaries, making it essential for developers and system administrators. The package is widely utilized for its ability to read and manipulate ELF files, but it has recently been found to contain a vulnerability that could lead to severe security issues.
Vulnerability Detail
A vulnerability has been identified in GNU elfutils version 0.192, specifically in the function handle_dynamic_symtab within the readelf.c file of the eu-read component. This vulnerability allows for a null pointer dereference, which can lead to application crashes or potentially be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability requires local access to the system to exploit, making it a significant concern for environments where untrusted users may have access.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.190-1.1ubuntu0.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade elfutilsTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can restrict access to the affected binaries or limit user permissions to prevent untrusted users from executing the vulnerable components until the package is updated.
Conclusion
The GNU elfutils package has a critical vulnerability that can lead to null pointer dereference, posing a risk to system stability and security. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate these risks. Additionally, utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for vulnerabilities in your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for elfutils →
FAQ
The vulnerability is a null pointer dereference in the GNU elfutils package, which can lead to application crashes.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software without needing to install any code.
Yes, a patch is available in version 0.192-4ubuntu1 of the GNU elfutils package.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to application crashes or unauthorized access to system resources.
You can limit access to the affected binaries or restrict user permissions as a temporary measure.
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