CVE-2016-20042 TRN 3.6-23 Stack Buffer Overflow Local Code Execution
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code via a stack buffer overflow in TRN by supplying oversized command-line arguments.
- 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-2016-20042?
CVE-2016-20042 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in trn Threaded USENET News Reader, 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
TRN 3.6-23 contains a stack buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized argument to the application. Attackers can craft a malicious command-line argument with 156 bytes of padding followed by a return address to overwrite the instruction pointer and execute shellcode with user privileges.
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-20042?
How do I fix CVE-2016-20042?
No fix has been published for CVE-2016-20042 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-2016-20042 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2016-20042 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-g7ph-9gx9-ch48, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-20042.