CVE-2016-20044 PInfo 0.6.9-5.1 Local Buffer Overflow via -m Parameter
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow in the PInfo terminal pager's -m parameter.
- 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-2016-20044?
CVE-2016-20044 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in PInfo, 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
PInfo 0.6.9-5.1 contains a local buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized argument to the -m parameter. Attackers can craft a malicious input string with 564 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-2016-20044?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Surf Pinfo.
How do I fix CVE-2016-20044?
No fix has been published for CVE-2016-20044 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-2016-20044 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2016-20044 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-v7g7-mr3x-xq5v, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-20044.