CVE-2018-10535 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability exists in the ELF file parsing function called ignore_section_sym within the GNU Binutils library version 2.30. This flaw can be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference and application crash.

Understanding CVE-2018-10535

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the GNU Binutils library version 2.30 that can lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-10535?

The vulnerability in the ELF file parsing function ignore_section_sym in GNU Binutils library version 2.30 allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service by causing a NULL pointer dereference and application crash.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10535

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely to crash applications by providing a specially crafted file.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10535

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2018-10535 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The ignore_section_sym function in elf.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library does not properly validate the output_section pointer, leading to a NULL pointer dereference and application crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

GNU Binutils library version 2.30 is affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing a specially crafted file, as demonstrated using the objcopy tool.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-10535 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious traffic.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from the software vendor to apply patches promptly.