CVE-2017-15939

Name: CVE-2017-15939
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-10-27T21:29:00.277+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 1.71%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-15939 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, mishandles NULL files in a .debug_line file table, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted ELF file, related to concat_filename. NOTE: this issue is caused by an incomplete fix for CVE-2017-15023.. EPSS estimates a 1.71% 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, mishandles NULL files in a .debug_line file table, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted ELF file, related to concat_filename. NOTE: this issue is caused by an incomplete fix for CVE-2017-15023.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

1.71%

74.4th 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

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101613
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/10/24/binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-concat_filename-dwarf2-c-incomplete-fix-for-cve-2017-15023/Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-01
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22205Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=a54018b72d75abf2e74bf36016702da06399c1d9
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101613
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2017/10/24/binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-concat_filename-dwarf2-c-incomplete-fix-for-cve-2017-15023/Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-01
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=22205Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=a54018b72d75abf2e74bf36016702da06399c1d9

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-15939?

How severe is CVE-2017-15939?

Severity scoring for CVE-2017-15939 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 1.71% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-15939?

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-2017-15939?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST