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CVE-2016-2226 Gnu CVE debrief

CVE-2016-2226 is a memory-safety flaw in GNU libiberty’s cplus-dem.c string_appends function. According to NVD, an integer overflow can trigger a buffer overflow, creating a path to arbitrary code execution. The published description frames the issue around a crafted executable, while NVD’s CVSS vector indicates local access with required user interaction.

Vendor
Gnu
Product
CVE-2016-2226
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-24
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-24
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Teams that ship, embed, or package GNU libiberty or related GNU toolchain components should review this CVE, especially distribution maintainers and anyone relying on demangling or binary-analysis functionality built on libiberty.

Technical summary

NVD describes the vulnerability as an integer overflow in string_appends within cplus-dem.c in libiberty, leading to a buffer overflow. The NVD record assigns CVSS 3.0 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, which indicates the impact can be severe once the vulnerable path is reached, but it is not a pure remote-no-touch condition. The NVD weakness mapping includes CWE-119 and CWE-190.

Defensive priority

High for environments that ship affected GNU libiberty builds and process untrusted binaries or user-supplied files. Prioritize if the component is exposed in routine workflows or bundled into widely deployed packages.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Inventory packages and builds that include GNU libiberty or the affected cplus-dem.c code path.
  • Update to a vendor-fixed release if available in your distribution or toolchain channel.
  • Treat untrusted executables and files that exercise demangling paths as higher risk until remediation is confirmed.
  • If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure by limiting who can invoke affected tooling and by restricting untrusted input handling.
  • Validate downstream packages after patching to ensure the vulnerable libiberty code is no longer present.

Evidence notes

Source evidence is limited to the supplied NVD record and referenced advisories. The NVD description states an integer overflow in string_appends in cplus-dem.c in libiberty can lead to buffer overflow and arbitrary code execution. The NVD CVSS vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, and the vulnerable CPE scope includes cpe:2.3:a:gnu:libiberty:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*. Related references in the record include an oss-security mailing list post, GCC bug 69687, SecurityFocus BID 90103, and an Exploit-DB entry.

Official resources

CVE published 2017-02-24 and the supplied NVD source snapshot shares that publication date; the record was last modified on 2026-05-13. Public references cited in the record date back to 2016-05-05.