CVE-2016-20049: JAD 1.5.8e-1kali1 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to exec

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-20049 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting jad java decompiler. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

JAD 1.5.8e-1kali1 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying oversized input that exceeds buffer boundaries. Attackers can craft malicious input strings exceeding 8150 bytes to overflow the stack, overwrite return addresses, and execute shellcode in the application context.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 48%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2026-03-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: varaneckas

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-03-28 12:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

varaneckas jad java decompiler DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.5.8e-1kali1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.5.8e-1kali1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jad-java-decompiler || rpm -q jad-java-decompiler || jad-java-decompiler --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.5.8e-1kali1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jad-java-decompiler sudo apt install jad-java-decompiler=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.8e-1kali1> sudo apt-mark hold jad-java-decompiler

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list jad-java-decompiler sudo dnf downgrade jad-java-decompiler-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.8e-1kali1> sudo dnf versionlock add jad-java-decompiler

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · perl-Encode · FIXED · 3.25-528.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-79991d0238 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-79991d0238

Fedora 46 · fonttools · FIXED · 4.68.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-65d6c01c75 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-65d6c01c75

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42076

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2016-20049?

jad java decompiler: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-20049 being exploited?

CVE-2016-20049 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-20049 affect?

CVE-2016-20049 affects jad java decompiler. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). JAD 1.5.8e-1kali1 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying oversized input that exceeds buffer boundaries. Attackers can craft malicious input strings exceed

How urgent is CVE-2016-20049?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Java vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-20227 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE JAD Java Decompiler 1.5.8e-1kali1 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows a

References

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