CVE-2017-15938

Name: CVE-2017-15938
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-10-27T21:29:00.23+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 4.73%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-15938 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. 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).. EPSS estimates a 4.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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).

Metrics

EPSS Probability

4.73%

90.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Binutils	2.29

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101610
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/10/24/binutils-invalid-memory-read-in-find_abstract_instance_name-dwarf2-c/Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-01
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22209Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=1b86808a86077722ee4f42ff97f836b12420bb2a
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101610
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/10/24/binutils-invalid-memory-read-in-find_abstract_instance_name-dwarf2-c/Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-01
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22209Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=1b86808a86077722ee4f42ff97f836b12420bb2a

Timeline

Published: Oct 27, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-15938?

How severe is CVE-2017-15938?

Severity scoring for CVE-2017-15938 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 4.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-15938?

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-2017-15938?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST