CVE-2014-8738

CVE-2014-8738 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Gnu Binutils with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-119
• Affected product: Gnu Binutils
• Published: 2015-01-15
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The _bfd_slurp_extended_name_table function in bfd/archive.c in GNU binutils 2.24 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write, segmentation fault, and crash) via a crafted extended name table in an archive.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2014-8738?

The _bfd_slurp_extended_name_table function in bfd/archive.c in GNU binutils 2.24 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write, segmentation fault, and crash) via a crafted extended name table in an archive.

How severe is CVE-2014-8738?

CVE-2014-8738 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2014-8738 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2014-8738?

CVE-2014-8738 primarily affects Gnu Binutils. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2014-8738?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2014-8738 published?

CVE-2014-8738 was published on 2015-01-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-January/147346.html
• http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-January/147354.html
• http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-January/148427.html
• http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-January/148438.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/62241
• http://secunia.com/advisories/62746
• http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3123
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2015:029
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/02/4
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/05/7
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/13/2
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/71083
• http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2496-1
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-24
• https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=17533
• https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git%3Bh=bb0d867169d7e9743d229804106a8fbcab7f3b3f

Affected products (8)

• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:binutils:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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