CVE-2020-35494

Crash and heap-data disclosure via uninitialized allocation

Published Jan 4, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Use of uninitialized memory in GNU Binutils before 2.34 allows attackers to crash the processing tool or read heap data via a crafted file. In tic4x_print_cond, xmalloc reserves 32 bytes but initializes only 20 before fprintf_func can consume the remaining heap bytes. Exploitation requires the crafted file to be processed through the affected TMS320C3x/C4x disassembler path; the bounded consequences are a process crash or disclosure of residual heap data.

CVSS severity6.1
Medium
EPSS probability1.07%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use of uninitialized memory in GNU Binutils before 2.34 allows attackers to crash the processing tool or read heap data via a crafted file. In tic4x_print_cond, xmalloc reserves 32 bytes but initializes only 20 before fprintf_func can consume the remaining heap bytes. Exploitation requires the crafted file to be processed through the affected TMS320C3x/C4x disassembler path; the bounded consequences are a process crash or disclosure of residual heap data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-35494
Published
Jan 4, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The GnuPG Project
Product
GNU Binutils
Classifications
CWE-908, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 4, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record 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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  1. Affected versionversion=binutils 2.34

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The GnuPG Project · GNU Binutilsversion=binutils 2.34

Published CVSS scores

6.1GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-908Use of Uninitialized Resource
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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