CVE-2026-38752
Description
A flaw was found in BusyBox. This vulnerability, a stack overflow in the evaluate() function, allows a remote attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by providing a specially crafted AWK script. A Denial of Service attack can make the affected system or application unavailable to legitimate users.
Statement
This Moderate flaw in BusyBox's AWK interpreter allows a denial of service. An attacker could provide a specially crafted AWK script, leading to a stack overflow and making the BusyBox instance unresponsive. This vulnerability primarily affects systems where BusyBox is configured to execute untrusted AWK scripts, limiting its broader impact.
Mitigation
For systems utilizing BusyBox, limit exposure by avoiding the execution of untrusted AWK scripts. Ensure that BusyBox instances are not configured to process arbitrary or untrusted AWK script input, particularly in environments where BusyBox is used for critical system functions.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.5 | N/A | 7.5 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | None |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of the product's implicit security policy. This can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the product into an infinite loop.
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