CVE-2025-69650
CVE-2025-69650 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gnu Binutils with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-415.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (39th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-208346
- Weakness: CWE-415
- Affected product: Gnu Binutils
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
GNU Binutils thru 2.46 readelf contains a double free vulnerability when processing a crafted ELF binary with malformed relocation data. During GOT relocation handling, dump_relocations may return early without initializing the all_relocations array. As a result, process_got_section_contents() may pass an uninitialized r_symbol pointer to free(), leading to a double free and terminating the program with SIGABRT. No evidence of exploitable memory corruption or code execution was observed; the impact is limited to denial of service. NOTE: this is disputed by third parties because the observed behavior occurred only in pre-release code and did not affect any tagged version.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-69650?
- GNU Binutils thru 2.46 readelf contains a double free vulnerability when processing a crafted ELF binary with malformed relocation data. During GOT relocation handling, dump_relocations may return early without initializing the all_relocations array. As a result, process_got_section_contents() may pass an uninitialized r_symbol pointer to free(), leading to a double free and terminating the program with SIGABRT. No evidence of exploitable memory corruption or code execution was observed; the impact is limited to denial of service. NOTE: this is disputed by third parties because the observed behavior occurred only in pre-release code and did not affect any tagged version.
- How severe is CVE-2025-69650?
- CVE-2025-69650 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2025-69650 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2025-69650?
- CVE-2025-69650 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2025-69650?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2025-69650 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2025-69650 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-208346.
- When was CVE-2025-69650 published?
- CVE-2025-69650 was published on 2026-03-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=33698
- https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=33700
- https://sourceware.org/git/?p=binutils-gdb.git;a=commitdiff;h=81e90cf63a10ad11772c2437c8f2a88f1a00c739
- https://sourceware.org/git/?p=binutils-gdb.git;a=commitdiff;h=ea4bc025abdba85a90e26e13f551c16a44bfa92
- https://sourceware.org/git/gitweb.cgi?p=binutils-gdb.git;h=ea4bc025abdba85a90e26e13f551c16a44bfa921
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:gnu:binutils:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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