PatchTheCVECVE-2026-81879: radare2 is a UNIX-like reverse engineering framework and command-line toolset
CVE-2026-81879 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting radare2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
radare2 is a UNIX-like reverse engineering framework and command-line toolset. Prior to 6.2.0, radare2's ELF PN_XNUM handling was vulnerable because the ELF parser allocated the program-header array using the resolved PN_XNUM count but several consumers still iterated with the original e_phnum value of 65535. The vulnerability is triggered by processing a crafted ELF file with e_phnum = 0xffff and a much smaller resolved count in shdr[0].sh_info.
Why this priority
- Public exploit reference
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 5.5 (Medium) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.2% (top 92%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-125 |
| Published | 2026-09-22 |
| Last modified | 2026-09-25 |
Last updated 2026-09-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
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-2026-81879?
radare2: upgrade to 6.2.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-81879 being exploited?
CVE-2026-81879 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-2026-81879 affect?
CVE-2026-81879 affects radare2. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). radare2 is a UNIX-like reverse engineering framework and command-line toolset. Prior to 6.2.0, radare2's ELF PN_XNUM handling was vulnerable because the ELF parser allocated the program-header array using the resolved PN_XNUM count but seve
How urgent is CVE-2026-81879?
Priority 26/100. Public exploit reference
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