CVE-2026-6844: Binutils: binutils: denial of service vulnerabilities in readelf via crafted elf files
A flaw was found in the readelf utility of the binutils package. A local attacker could exploit two Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerabilities by providing a specially crafted Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) file. One vulnerability, a resource exhaustion (CWE-400), can lead to an out-of-memory condition. The other, a null pointer dereference (CWE-476), can cause a segmentation fault. Both issues can result in the readelf utility becoming unresponsive or crashing, leading to a denial of service.
Other sources
Two DoS vulnerabilities in readelf 2.46: 1. Resource exhaustion (CWE-400): crafted ELF triggers 6.3TB allocation, OOM kill 2. Null pointer deref (CWE-476): malformed shentsize/shoff causes SIGSEGV
Discovered via AFL++ fuzzing. PoC files attached to JSM ticket. Not publicly disclosed.
— Red Hat
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-6844?
CVE-2026-6844 is classified as a high severity vulnerability due to its potential to cause denial of service.
How do I fix CVE-2026-6844?
To fix CVE-2026-6844, update your binutils package to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-6844?
CVE-2026-6844 affects users of the GNU binutils version 2.46, specifically the readelf utility.
What types of attacks does CVE-2026-6844 facilitate?
CVE-2026-6844 facilitates denial of service attacks through the use of specially crafted ELF files.
Is CVE-2026-6844 a local or remote vulnerability?
CVE-2026-6844 is a local vulnerability, requiring an attacker to have access to the target system to exploit it.