Description
Integer overflow in the string_appends function in cplus-dem.c in libiberty allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted executable, which triggers a buffer overflow.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | binutils | 2.27.51.20161102-1 | — |
| Debian 14 | ht | 2.1.0+repack1-1 | — |
| Debian 14 | libiberty | 20161011-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | binutils | 2.27.51.20161102-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | ht | 2.1.0+repack1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | libiberty | 20161011-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | binutils | 2.27.51.20161102-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | ht | 2.1.0+repack1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | libiberty | 20161011-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | binutils | 2.22-8+deb7u3 | DLA-552-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.10 | gcc-h8300-hms +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | gcc-h8300-hms +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | gcc-h8300-hms +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | gcc-h8300-hms +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | nescc +2 | No fix yet | — |
Show 6 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | nescc +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | sdcc +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | gdb | 7.11.1-0ubuntu1~16.5 | USN-3367-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | ht +6 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | libiberty | 20160215-1ubuntu0.2 | USN-3368-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | valgrind | 1:3.11.0-1ubuntu4.2 | USN-3337-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | gdb | 7.7.1-0ubuntu5~14.04.3 | USN-3367-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | libiberty | 20131116-1ubuntu0.2 | USN-3368-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | valgrind | 1:3.10.1-1ubuntu3~14.5 | USN-3337-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | binutils | 2.26.1-1ubuntu1~16.04.8+esm1 | USN-4336-2 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | binutils | No fix yet | — |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- GNU libiberty - Buffer Overflow EDB-42386 · dos · Jul 27, 2017 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 5
- USN-4336-2 binutils vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- USN-3367-1 gdb vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- USN-3368-1 libiberty vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- USN-3337-1 valgrind vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- DLA-552-1 binutils - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026