---
title: "CVE-2026-6844\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-6844?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2026-6844

Publication date 22 April 2026

Last updated 13 May 2026

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.5 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-6844?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

A flaw was found in the `readelf` utility of the binutils package. A local
attacker could exploit two Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerabilities by
providing a specially crafted Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) file.
One vulnerability, a resource exhaustion (CWE-400), can lead to an
out-of-memory condition. The other, a null pointer dereference (CWE-476),
can cause a segmentation fault. Both issues can result in the `readelf`
utility becoming unresponsive or crashing, leading to a denial of service.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-6844?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| binutils | 26.04 LTS resolute | Needs evaluation |
| 25.10 questing | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Needs evaluation |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Needs evaluation |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Needs evaluation |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Needs evaluation |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Needs evaluation |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Needs evaluation |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [seth-arnold](https://launchpad.net/~seth-arnold)

binutils isn't safe for untrusted inputs.

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.5 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | Required |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Integrity impact | None |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.5 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2026-6844)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-6844)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2026-6844)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2026-6844)

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-6844>
* <https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2460016>