CVE-2025-5244 GNU Binutils ld elflink.c elf_gc_sweep memory corruption

Medium 4.8 Published 27 May 2025 Updated 15 Oct 2026

A local attacker can exploit memory corruption in the GNU Binutils linker to potentially execute arbitrary code.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2025-5244?

CVE-2025-5244 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Gnu Binutils, published on 27 May 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability was found in GNU Binutils up to 2.44. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function elf_gc_sweep of the file bfd/elflink.c of the component ld. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 2.45 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-5244?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (14)

`binutils` AlmaLinux:10	All versions	`2.41-58.el10.alma.1`
`binutils-devel` AlmaLinux:10	All versions	`2.41-58.el10.alma.1`
`binutils-gold` AlmaLinux:10	All versions	`2.41-58.el10.alma.1`
`binutils` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils-debugsource` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils-gold` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils-gold-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils-gprofng-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`cross-binutils-aarch64-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`cross-binutils-ppc64le-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`cross-binutils-s390x-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:10.1	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`
`binutils` Rocky Linux:10	All versions	`0:2.41-58.el10`

Products include Gnu Binutils.

How do I fix CVE-2025-5244?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2025-5244 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-5244 exists.

All Gnu Binutils vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2025-5244, ALSA-2025:20155, AZL-61982, AZL-61994, AZL-62047, BELL-CVE-2025-5244 and 10 more.