# CVE-2026-90829: GNU Binutils null pointer dereference in SHT_GROUP handler

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-90829-gnu-binutils-null-pointer-dereference-in-sht-group-handler  
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-2026-90829 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-09-14

GNU Binutils is a critical set of tools used by developers and build systems to link and manipulate compiled object files. A null pointer dereference vulnerability in the SHT_GROUP section handler can cause the linker (ld) to crash when processing malformed object files during relocatable linking. While a local attacker or malicious build artifact could trigger this crash, the impact is limited to denial of service (build failure) rather than code execution.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-90829 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-90829 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-90829?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 14 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-90829?** 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-2026-90829 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-90829?** 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_elf_set_group_contents() function (bfd/elf.c:3952) triggered during relocatable linking (-r flag). The root cause is incomplete validation of SHT_GROUP section linkage; a malformed or corrupted group section can leave a NULL pointer that is subsequently dereferenced without null checks. The attack vector is local and requires the attacker to supply a specially crafted ELF object file as input to the linker. An exploit proof-of-concept has been made public. The vulnerability affects binutils 2.47 and possibly earlier versions; the GNU project has not yet responded to the bug report or provided a patch.

## Affected products

- GNU Binutils 2.47

## Timeline

- 2026-07-28: disclosed: Bug report filed
- 2026-09-14: advisory: CVE-2026-90829 published
- 2026-07-28: other: PoC publicly available via bugzilla attachment

## References

- [https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/attachment.cgi?id=16883](https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/attachment.cgi?id=16883)
- [https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=34451](https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=34451)

## 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)