Local code execution via oversized command-line argument
Published Mar 28, 2026 · Updated Mar 28, 2026
Stack-based buffer overflow in Werner Bregulla Ytree 1.94-1.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via an oversized argument. Command-line argument handling accepts an oversized value without adequate bounds enforcement, overwriting stack data with shellcode and a crafted return address. The attacker must already be able to run Ytree locally; successful exploitation executes code in the application's user context, while failed attempts crash the process.
Summary
What happened
Stack-based buffer overflow in Werner Bregulla Ytree 1.94-1.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via an oversized argument. Command-line argument handling accepts an oversized value without adequate bounds enforcement, overwriting stack data with shellcode and a crafted return address. The attacker must already be able to run Ytree locally; successful exploitation executes code in the application's user context, while failed attempts crash the process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2016-20038
- Published
- Mar 28, 2026
- Updated
- Mar 28, 2026
- Vendor
- Werner Bregulla
- Product
- Ytree
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 28, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 28, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=1.94-1.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- yTree 1.94-1.1 - Local Buffer Overflow (PoC)proof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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