Description
dwarf2.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, miscalculates DW_FORM_ref_addr die refs in the case of a relocatable object file, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (find_abstract_instance_name invalid memory read, segmentation fault, and application crash).
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | binutils | 2.29.90.20180122-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | binutils | 2.29.90.20180122-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | binutils | 2.29.90.20180122-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | binutils | 2.26.1-1ubuntu1~16.04.8+esm1 | USN-4336-2 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | binutils | No fix yet | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 | binutils | 2.31-6.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3170-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | binutils +2 | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-2, SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SLES 12 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
Show 5 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | binutils | 2.31-9.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | binutils | 2.37-1.3 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10651-1 |
Advisories 5
- USN-4336-2 binutils vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10651-1 binutils-2.37-1.3 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:3170-1 Security update for binutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:3207-2 Security update for binutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:3207-1 Security update for binutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- GLSA-201801-01 vendor-advisory
- https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=1b86808a86077722ee4f42ff97f836b12420bb2a
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/10/24/binutils-invalid-memory-read-in-find_abstract_instance_name-dwarf2-c/
- 101610 vdb-entry
- https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22209