CVE-2017-15931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2017-15931 was published on October 27, 2017, and affects radare2 version 2.0.1. The vulnerability involves an integer exception in the store_versioninfo_gnu_verneed() function in radare2's ELF.c file, which can be exploited by using manipulated ELF files on 32-bit systems.

Understanding CVE-2017-15931

This CVE entry highlights a specific vulnerability in the radare2 software.

What is CVE-2017-15931?

The CVE-2017-15931 vulnerability in radare2 2.0.1 is caused by an integer exception that can lead to an invalid memory access when handling certain types of ELF files on 32-bit systems.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15931

The presence of this vulnerability can allow attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by exploiting the memory access issue in radare2.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15931

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an integer exception in the store_versioninfo_gnu_verneed() function within the ELF.c file of radare2 version 2.0.1.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: radare2
Vendor: N/A
Version: 2.0.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be triggered by utilizing manipulated ELF files specifically on 32-bit systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-15931 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update radare2 to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Avoid opening untrusted ELF files on vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement proper file validation mechanisms to prevent the execution of malicious ELF files.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that radare2 is updated to a version that includes a fix for CVE-2017-15931 to eliminate the vulnerability.