CVE-2025-11082: GNU Binutils Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-11082 Overview

CVE-2025-11082 is a heap-based buffer overflow [CWE-119] affecting GNU Binutils version 2.45. The flaw resides in the _bfd_elf_parse_eh_frame function within bfd/elf-eh-frame.c, a component of the linker. An attacker with local access and low privileges can trigger memory corruption by supplying a crafted ELF object that manipulates exception handling frame parsing. The maintainer has confirmed the issue is fixed in Binutils 2.46 via commit ea1a0737c7692737a644af0486b71e4a392cbca8. Exploit code has been published, though the attack is limited to local execution and results in low impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Critical Impact
Local attackers can trigger heap corruption in the GNU linker when parsing malformed ELF exception frame data, potentially leading to process crashes or memory disclosure.

Affected Products

GNU Binutils 2.45
Downstream distributions bundling Binutils 2.45
Siemens products referenced in advisory SSA-082556

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-27 - CVE-2025-11082 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-11082

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in _bfd_elf_parse_eh_frame, a function in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library used by the GNU linker (ld) and other Binutils tools. This function parses .eh_frame sections in ELF objects, which contain DWARF-based exception handling metadata.

When the parser processes a maliciously crafted .eh_frame section, it fails to correctly validate size or offset fields before performing heap memory operations. This results in a heap-based buffer overflow condition. Because Binutils is invoked during software build pipelines, CI/CD workflows, and by developers analyzing untrusted binaries with tools such as objdump or readelf, the vulnerability presents a practical local risk in multi-user or automated build environments.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during Common Information Entry (CIE) and Frame Description Entry (FDE) parsing inside _bfd_elf_parse_eh_frame. The function trusts length values derived from the input file, allowing an attacker-controlled buffer read or write beyond the allocated heap region. The upstream commit ea1a0737c7692737a644af0486b71e4a392cbca8 addresses this by adding stricter validation of frame data boundaries.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and low privileges. An attacker supplies a crafted ELF file to a victim running any Binutils tool that invokes _bfd_elf_parse_eh_frame. Typical triggers include linking untrusted object files, analyzing malicious binaries with objdump -Wf, or automated pipelines that link third-party sources. No user interaction beyond invoking the tool on the malicious file is required. See the Sourceware Bug Report for the reproducer attached to the upstream bug tracker.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11082

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or segmentation faults from ld, objdump, readelf, or other BFD-based tools during builds
ELF object files from untrusted sources containing malformed .eh_frame sections with inconsistent CIE or FDE length fields
Core dumps referencing _bfd_elf_parse_eh_frame in the stack trace

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Binutils versions across build servers and developer workstations, flagging any instance of version 2.45
Scan CI/CD pipelines for use of untrusted third-party object files or archives passed to ld, ar, or objdump
Monitor process termination events for Binutils binaries and correlate with recent file inputs

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable audit logging on build hosts to capture invocations of Binutils tools alongside their input file paths
Alert on abnormal Binutils process crashes, which may indicate exploitation attempts or fuzzing activity
Track file provenance for ELF inputs entering build systems, especially from external contributors

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11082

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade GNU Binutils to version 2.46 or later, which contains the upstream fix
Apply the vendor patch ea1a0737c7692737a644af0486b71e4a392cbca8 if remaining on the 2.45 branch is required
Review Siemens advisory SSA-082556 for affected industrial products
Restrict local access to shared build systems and enforce least privilege for developer accounts

Patch Information

The fix is available in the upstream Binutils repository as commit ea1a0737c7692737a644af0486b71e4a392cbca8. The maintainer confirmed the issue is resolved in Binutils 2.46. Linux distribution maintainers are expected to backport the patch to their supported 2.45 packages.

Workarounds

Avoid running Binutils tools against ELF files received from untrusted sources until patched
Execute build and analysis operations inside sandboxed containers or virtual machines to contain potential heap corruption
Enable heap hardening features such as glibc MALLOC_CHECK_ or run tools under AddressSanitizer during development to detect exploitation attempts

bash

# Verify installed Binutils version and upgrade
ld --version

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade binutils

# RHEL/Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade binutils

# Source build from fixed commit
git clone https://sourceware.org/git/binutils-gdb.git
cd binutils-gdb
git checkout ea1a0737c7692737a644af0486b71e4a392cbca8
./configure && make && sudo make install