CVE-2024-53589
📋 TL;DR
A buffer overflow vulnerability in GNU objdump's BFD library allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by processing specially crafted tekhex format files. This affects systems running GNU binutils objdump version 2.43. Security researchers and developers analyzing untrusted binary files are particularly at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- GNU binutils
- GNU objdump
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with the privileges of the objdump process, potentially leading to full system compromise if objdump runs with elevated privileges.
Likely Case
Denial of service (crash) when processing malicious tekhex files during binary analysis workflows.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if objdump runs in sandboxed environments with minimal privileges and processes only trusted files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the attacker to provide a malicious tekhex file that the victim processes with objdump. Public proof-of-concept demonstrates crash/DoS.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: GNU binutils 2.44 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.gnu.org/software/binutils/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update GNU binutils to version 2.44 or later using your distribution's package manager. 2. For source installations: download latest binutils from GNU mirrors, compile, and replace existing objdump binary.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable tekhex format support
linuxRecompile binutils with tekhex format disabled to remove vulnerable code path
./configure --disable-tekhex
make
sudo make install
Restrict file processing
allImplement input validation to reject tekhex files before objdump processes them
file $FILENAME | grep -v 'tekhex' || exit 1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Run objdump with reduced privileges using sandboxing tools like firejail or SELinux
- Implement strict access controls on tekhex files and monitor for suspicious objdump usage
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Run 'objdump --version' and check if output includes '2.43'. If version is 2.43 and tekhex support is present, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
objdump --version | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, run 'objdump --version' to confirm version is 2.44 or later. Test with known safe tekhex file to ensure functionality.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Segmentation fault or crash logs from objdump process
- Unexpected process termination when analyzing binary files
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file transfers of tekhex format files to analysis systems
SIEM Query:
process_name:"objdump" AND (event_type:"crash" OR exit_code:139)