Description
elf_compress.c in elfutils 0.168 does not validate the zlib compression factor, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a crafted ELF file.
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 | elfutils | 0.168-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | elfutils | 0.168-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | elfutils | 0.168-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | elfutils | 0.170-0.4 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | elfutils | 0.165-3ubuntu1.1 | USN-3670-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | elfutils | 0.158-0ubuntu5.3 | USN-3670-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP3 | dwarves | 1.22-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | elfutils | 0.177-150300.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | elfutils | 0.168-4.5.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:1486-1 |
| SLES 15 | elfutils | 0.168-4.5.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:1486-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLE Micro 5.2 | dwarves | 1.22-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | elfutils | 0.177-150300.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | dwarves | 1.22-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | elfutils | 0.177-150300.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | dwarves | 1.22-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.3 | elfutils | 0.177-150300.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | elfutils | 0.168-lp151.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:1590-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.0 | elfutils | 0.168-lp151.4.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:1590-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.2 | dwarves | 1.22-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-2 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.2 | elfutils | 0.177-150300.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2022:2614-2 |
Advisories 5
- USN-3670-1 elfutils vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:2614-1 Security update for dwarves and elfutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2019:1590-1 Security update for elfutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2022:2614-2 Security update for dwarves and elfutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:1486-1 Security update for elfutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- USN-3670-1 vendor-advisory
- https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/04/03/elfutils-memory-allocation-failure-in-__libelf_decompress-elf_compress-c
- GLSA-201710-10 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2019:1590 vendor-advisory