Hi Maciej, Hi Michal,
$ wget http://lcamtuf.coredump.cx/strings-bfd-badptr2
FYI, this test case has now been fixed.
In any case: the bottom line is that if you are used to running
strings on random files, or depend on any libbfd-based tools for
forensic purposes, you should probably change your habits. For strings
specifically, invoking it with the -a parameter seems to inhibit the
use of libbfd. Distro vendors may want to consider making the -a mode
default, too.
There are also alternatives to the GNU Binutils strings program.
eu-strings for example, or even "od -S 4".
It is true however that there are still vulnerabilities in libbfd, and I
for one would happy to see new bug reports exposing them. I can assure
you that any such bug report reaching me will be treated seriously, and
will be investigated and fixed as soon as possible.