CVE-2017-14940

Name: CVE-2017-14940
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-09-30T01:29:02.697+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 1.94%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-14940 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. scan_unit_for_symbols in dwarf2.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted ELF file.. EPSS estimates a 1.94% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

scan_unit_for_symbols in dwarf2.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted ELF file.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

1.94%

77.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Binutils	2.29

References

https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/09/26/binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-scan_unit_for_symbols-dwarf2-c/Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22166Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=0d76029f92182c3682d8be2c833d45bc9a2068fe
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/09/26/binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-scan_unit_for_symbols-dwarf2-c/Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22166Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=0d76029f92182c3682d8be2c833d45bc9a2068fe

Timeline

Published: Sep 30, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-14940?

How severe is CVE-2017-14940?

Severity scoring for CVE-2017-14940 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 1.94% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-14940?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-14940?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST