Tie; difficult situation (4)
I believe the answer is:
bind
This clue is a double definition.
'tie' is the first definition.
(I know that bind is a more specific form of attach)
'difficult situation' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
(Other definitions for bind that I've seen before include "Join or fasten together" , "Tie together" , "Wrap tightly - nuisance" , "Fix" , "Tie up; annoyance" .)