CVE-2026-38755 BusyBox CVE debrief

Who should care

Users of Busybox v1.38.0, system administrators, and security teams should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. This includes reviewing their deployments for affected versions, applying patches or updates from the vendor, and monitoring for suspicious activity. Additionally, operators and platform administrators should verify their systems for potential exposure and implement compensating controls if necessary.

Technical summary

A heap overflow vulnerability exists in the evalcommand() function (shell/ash.c) of Busybox v1.38.0. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via supplying a crafted input. The evalcommand() function is a part of the Busybox utility, which is a common tool in many Linux distributions. The vulnerability can be exploited by providing a specially crafted input that overflows the heap buffer, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

• Inventory and verify Busybox installations
• Apply patches or updates from the vendor
• Monitor for suspicious activity
• Implement compensating controls
• Review and update vulnerability management processes
• Track exceptions and retest remediated assets

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-15T22:16:47.340Z and was last modified on 2026-07-16T19:57:23.317Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This information is based on the provided source corpus. Further verification by defenders is recommended to ensure accuracy and completeness of affected systems.

Official resources