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CVE-2016-5044 Libdwarf Project CVE debrief

CVE-2016-5044 affects libdwarf's WRITE_UNALIGNED function in dwarf_elf_access.c and can cause a denial of service via an out-of-bounds write and crash when processing a crafted DWARF section. NVD maps the issue to CWE-787 and rates it HIGH with network-accessible, no-auth prerequisites. The affected version range in the NVD record ends before 2016-09-23.

Vendor
Libdwarf Project
Product
CVE-2016-5044
CVSS
HIGH 7.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-17
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-17
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Teams that ship, embed, or depend on libdwarf, especially tools and services that parse untrusted or externally supplied DWARF/ELF debug data. Security, build, packaging, and SAST/DAST owners should confirm whether any deployed components include vulnerable libdwarf versions.

Technical summary

The vulnerable condition is in WRITE_UNALIGNED within dwarf_elf_access.c. A crafted DWARF section can trigger an out-of-bounds write, leading to process termination. The NVD record classifies the weakness as CWE-787 and lists affected libdwarf versions prior to 2016-09-23.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Identify all products, build pipelines, and tools that include libdwarf or statically bundle it.
  • Upgrade libdwarf to a version at or after 2016-09-23, or otherwise to a vendor-fixed release.
  • Treat DWARF/ELF inputs from untrusted sources as hostile; avoid processing them in high-privilege contexts.
  • Add file validation and fuzz testing around debug-symbol parsing paths to catch memory-safety regressions.
  • If immediate upgrading is not possible, limit exposure by restricting who can submit or upload DWARF-containing files.

Evidence notes

The CVE description states the flaw is in WRITE_UNALIGNED in dwarf_elf_access.c and that crafted DWARF sections can cause an out-of-bounds write and crash. The NVD record classifies it as CWE-787 and lists the vulnerable version range as ending before 2016-09-23. Reference links include an oss-security mailing list patch discussion, an exploit-related mailing list entry, and a third-party advisory page.

Official resources

CVE published on 2017-02-17. The supplied references point to May 2016 mailing list discussion and advisory material; use the CVE published date for disclosure timing, not any later record modification date.