CVE-2016-20038 yTree 1.94-1.1 Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code in yTree by supplying a maliciously long command-line argument, leading to a stack-based buffer overflow.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2016-20038?
CVE-2016-20038 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in werner yTree, published on 28 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
yTree 1.94-1.1 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an excessively long argument to the application. Attackers can craft a malicious command-line argument containing shellcode and a return address to overwrite the stack and execute code in the application context.
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-20038?
How do I fix CVE-2016-20038?
No fix has been published for CVE-2016-20038 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2016-20038 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2016-20038 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-wpqm-56h6-gcww, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-20038.