CVE-2020-35507

Objdump crash via unchecked allocation result

Published Jan 4, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

NULL pointer dereference in GNU Binutils before 2.34 allows attackers to crash objdump by supplying a crafted PEF file. bfd_pef_parse_function_stubs in bfd/pef.c passes an unchecked bfd_malloc result to bfd_read, which dereferences the NULL pointer after allocation failure. The crash requires a user or automated workflow to run objdump on the crafted file and does not alter data or execute attacker-controlled code.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability1.23%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

NULL pointer dereference in GNU Binutils before 2.34 allows attackers to crash objdump by supplying a crafted PEF file. bfd_pef_parse_function_stubs in bfd/pef.c passes an unchecked bfd_malloc result to bfd_read, which dereferences the NULL pointer after allocation failure. The crash requires a user or automated workflow to run objdump on the crafted file and does not alter data or execute attacker-controlled code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-35507
Published
Jan 4, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The GnuPG Project
Product
GNU Binutils
Classifications
CWE-476, T1499.004, 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  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

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo