binutils: heap-based buffer overflow in function process_mips_specific in readelf.c
Published Feb 24, 2019
7.8
HIGHCVSS 3.1
EPSS 1.98%
Description
An issue was discovered in GNU Binutils 2.32. It is a heap-based buffer overflow in process_mips_specific in readelf.c via a malformed MIPS option section.
Affected products
No data.
Configuration 2
- n/a
Configuration 3
- 18.04
Configuration 4
- ≥ 5.0.0 · ≤ 5.1.0
No data.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
binutils
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
binutils
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
binutils
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
binutils
Will not fix
| Product | Package | State | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | binutils | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | binutils | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | binutils | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | binutils | Will not fix | n/a |
No package ranges for this CVE.
Remediation
Red Hat statement
This vulnerability in GNU Binutils is considered moderate. While it involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the process_mips_specific function, successful exploitation requires the attacker to craft a specific malformed MIPS option section within a binary ELF file. This scenario limits the attack vector to files that the user explicitly processes with readelf, rather than making it exploitable through network services or untrusted inputs. Moreover, binutils does not handle privileged operations, meaning exploitation is unlikely to lead to system compromise or escalation of privileges. Additionally, the impact is localized to the application itself, without affecting the broader system or network security.
Red Hat mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
No CISA SSVC assessment for this CVE yet.
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 1, 2026.
Score over time
2021–2026- EPSS v1
- EPSS v5
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
Percentile over time
- EPSS v1
- EPSS v5
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
Table of values (14 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed; showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 1.98% (0.01976) | 79.74th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 1.98% (0.01985) | 77.92th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 0.34% (0.00339) | 54.43th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Dec 12, 2024 | 0.17% (0.00168) | 54.93th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 17, 2024 | 0.12% (0.00123) | 47.18th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 10, 2024 | 0.10% (0.00100) | 41.81th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 0.10% (0.00100) | 39.78th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 1.18% (0.01183) | 61.76th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Apr 1, 2022 | 1.18% (0.01183) | 58.77th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 4.71% (0.04713) | 74.50th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 3, 2022 | 7.85% (0.07855) | 85.01th | v1 |
| Jan 6, 2022 | 7.85% (0.07855) | 84.84th | v1 |
| Jan 5, 2022 | 1.86% (0.01865) | 76.93th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Apr 14, 2021 | 1.66% (0.01659) | 0.00th | v1 |
References (12)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-10/msg00078.html vendor-advisoryx_refsource_SUSEMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00004.html vendor-advisoryx_refsource_SUSEMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107139 vdb-entryx_refsource_BIDThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2019-9077 Vendor Advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1680675 Issue Tracking
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-9077
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-24 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_GENTOOThird Party Advisory
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190314-0003/ x_refsource_CONFIRMPatchThird Party Advisory
- https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=24243 x_refsource_MISCExploitIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K00056379 x_refsource_CONFIRMThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4336-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-9077
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.