CVE-2017-9778: Input Validation
First published: Wed Jun 21 2017(Updated: )
GNU Debugger (GDB) 8.0 and earlier fails to detect a negative length field in a DWARF section. A malformed section in an ELF binary or a core file can cause GDB to repeatedly allocate memory until a process limit is reached. This can, for example, impede efforts to analyze malware with GDB.
Credit: cve@mitre.org
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| GNU Debugger | <=8.0 |
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Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2017-9778?
CVE-2017-9778 is considered a high severity vulnerability due to its potential to cause memory exhaustion in the GNU Debugger.
How do I fix CVE-2017-9778?
To fix CVE-2017-9778, upgrade to a version of GNU Debugger newer than 8.0 where the vulnerability is addressed.
What software is affected by CVE-2017-9778?
CVE-2017-9778 affects GNU Debugger versions 8.0 and earlier.
How does CVE-2017-9778 affect GDB functionality?
CVE-2017-9778 can impede GDB's functionality by causing excessive memory allocation when handling malformed ELF binaries or core files.
What steps should I take if I can't upgrade GDB to patch CVE-2017-9778?
If upgrading is not possible, consider limiting the input to GDB to avoid using malformed ELF binaries or core files that trigger this vulnerability.
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