CVE-2025-66862
binutils: heap-based buffer over-read in gnu_special() in cplus-dem.c
Severity
LowRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · December 29, 2025
Updated · September 1, 2026
Description
A flaw was found in binutils. Processing a specially crafted PE file with cxxfilt can trigger a heap-based buffer over-read in the gnu_special function in the cplus-dem.c file, causing a crash and resulting in a denial of service.
Statement
This issue is classified with a low severity primarily because binutils is not typically exposed to untrusted inputs in most environments, limiting the possibility of exploitation. Additionally, this heap-based buffer over-read is only triggered during the parsing of a specially crafted file, requiring an attacker to convince a user to process this file with cxxfilt. Furthermore, binutils does not handle privileged operations, meaning that exploitation is unlikely to lead to system compromise or escalation of privileges. Also, the impact is limited to the application itself, without affecting the broader system or network security.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 3.3CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
CWE-125 · Out-of-bounds Read