Local code execution via oversized -F argument
Published Mar 28, 2026 · Updated Mar 28, 2026
Stack buffer overflow in NRSS Reader 0.3.9 allows local users to execute arbitrary code through an oversized -F argument. The -F option processing writes input beyond a 256-byte stack buffer, allowing a supplied value to replace the saved return address. Direct local invocation is required; no application authentication or user interaction is needed, and successful exploitation runs code in the NRSS process context.
Summary
What happened
Stack buffer overflow in NRSS Reader 0.3.9 allows local users to execute arbitrary code through an oversized -F argument. The -F option processing writes input beyond a 256-byte stack buffer, allowing a supplied value to replace the saved return address. Direct local invocation is required; no application authentication or user interaction is needed, and successful exploitation runs code in the NRSS process context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2016-20043
- Published
- Mar 28, 2026
- Updated
- Mar 28, 2026
- Vendor
- NRSS
- Product
- NRSS Reader
- 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?
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- Affected versionversion=0.3.9
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
- NRSS Reader 0.3.9 Local Stack Overflowproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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