GDB STABS Debug Format Parser Buffer Overflow in read_member_functions
CVE-2026-13732 Published on August 31, 2026
Gdb: gdb: out-of-bounds write in stabs parser read_member_functions() via crafted elf
A flaw was found in GDB's STABS debug format parser. The
read_member_functions() function in gdb/stabsread.c contains a linked
list removal bug in the code that separates destructor and non-destructor
member functions of C++ classes. The bug causes the destructor entries to
remain in the main function list while the list length counter is
decremented, resulting in an out-of-bounds write when the function list
is copied to its final allocated array. An attacker can craft an ELF
binary with malicious .stab and .stabstr sections that triggers this
out-of-bounds write when a user opens the file in GDB and performs any
symbol-inspection operation such as setting a breakpoint. The inferior
process does not need to be executed. Under controlled conditions, this
was demonstrated to achieve execution of arbitrary commands within the
GDB process.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-13732 is exploitable with local system access, requires user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be very high.
Timeline
Reported to Red Hat.
Made public. 38 days later.
Weakness Type
What is a Memory Corruption Vulnerability?
The software writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. Typically, this can result in corruption of data, a crash, or code execution. The software may modify an index or perform pointer arithmetic that references a memory location that is outside of the boundaries of the buffer. A subsequent write operation then produces undefined or unexpected results.
CVE-2026-13732 has been classified to as a Memory Corruption vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-13732
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