CVE-2026-123151
Description
A flaw was found in the GNU debugger (GDB). When GDB connects to a remote debug target, a malicious target can cause GDB to overflow a buffer on the stack while parsing the target's replies. This can crash GDB or potentially allow the target to execute arbitrary code in the GDB client process with the privileges of the user running GDB.
Statement
This flaw is present in GDB as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The overflow fires automatically during the target remote connection handshake when the remote stub reports tracing support, before any further user interaction.
Mitigation
There is no mitigation for this vulnerability. Users should only connect GDB to trusted debug targets.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the program into an infinite loop.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of a program's implicit security policy.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control,Other
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism; Other
When the consequence is arbitrary code execution, this can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Pulkit Singh Singaria for reporting this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
