# CVE-2026-90802: GNU Binutils ld null pointer dereference in bfd_putl64

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-90802-gnu-binutils-ld-null-pointer-dereference-in-bfd-putl64  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-14. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-90802 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.4 · Published 2026-09-14

GNU Binutils is a collection of binary utilities, including the ld linker used to combine object files during software compilation. A flaw in version 2.47 allows a local attacker to cause the linker to crash by providing a malformed ELF object file, resulting in service disruption during the build process and potential denial of service in automated build pipelines.

Technologies: [Gnu Binutils](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/binutils). Vendors: [Gnu](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gnu).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-90802 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-90802 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-90802?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.4, published 14 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Gnu Binutils 2.47.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-90802?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-90802 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-90802?** Check whether you run Gnu Binutils at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a null pointer dereference in the bfd_putl64 function (bfd/libbfd.c:989) triggered when processing a malformed ELF relocation. The attack chain originates in elf_x86_64_relocate_section, which calls bfd_elf64_swap_reloca_out, eventually reaching bfd_putl64 with an underflowed or null output buffer pointer. When the linker processes a crafted ELF object with options like --gc-sections --no-print-gc-sections -w, the malformed relocation causes a write to a null-derived address, triggering a segmentation fault. The vulnerability requires local access and the ability to provide a malicious object file to the linker. A proof-of-concept has been publicly disclosed, and the issue remains unpatched; a previous fix for a related crash at the same location (bug 33456) appears incomplete.

## Affected products

- GNU Binutils 2.47

## Timeline

- 2026-07-28: disclosed: Bug reported to Sourceware Bugzilla
- 2026-08-09: exploited: Public PoC released by r1ck9
- 2026-09-14: advisory: Published as CVE-2026-90802

## References

- [https://github.com/r1ck9-2q/cve_summit/blob/main/SEGV%20in%20%60bfd_putl64%60%20(bfdlibbfd.c989)%20during%20relocation%20output%20via%20malformed%20ELF.md](https://github.com/r1ck9-2q/cve_summit/blob/main/SEGV%20in%20%60bfd_putl64%60%20(bfdlibbfd.c989)%20during%20relocation%20output%20via%20malformed%20ELF.md)
- [https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=34443](https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=34443)

## Related threats

- [GNU Binutils null pointer dereference in dynamic relocation allocation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91782-gnu-binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-dynamic-relocation)
- [GNU Binutils null pointer dereference in ELF section handler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91781-gnu-binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-elf-section-handler)
- [GNU Binutils null pointer dereference in ELF linker](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91780-gnu-binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-elf-linker)
- [GNU Binutils null pointer dereference in eh_frame section offset](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91779-gnu-binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-eh-frame-section-offset)
- [GNU Binutils memory corruption in ELF string table handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-90831-gnu-binutils-memory-corruption-in-elf-string-table-handling)