CVE-2026-52757
Ghidra < 12.1 - Heap-use-after-free in HighVariable::merge() during decompilation
Description
Ghidra before 12.1 contains a heap-use-after-free vulnerability in the decompiler's HighVariable::merge() function during the variable merging pass. Attackers can trigger this vulnerability by crafting a binary that causes stale pointers in the HighIntersectTest::highedgemap cache to be dereferenced, reading and writing the flags field of freed heap memory when a user opens the binary in Ghidra's decompiler view.
INFO
Published Date :
June 10, 2026, 2:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 12, 2026, 1:10 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update Ghidra to version 12.1 or later.
- Avoid opening untrusted binaries in affected Ghidra versions.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-52757.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/security/advisories/GHSA-8jqp-qv73-395r | Exploit Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ghidra-heap-use-after-free-in-highvariable-merge-during-decompilation | Third Party Advisory |
| https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/security/advisories/GHSA-8jqp-qv73-395r | Exploit Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-52757 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-52757
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-52757 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-52757 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jun. 12, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:nsa:ghidra:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 12.1 Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/security/advisories/GHSA-8jqp-qv73-395r Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/security/advisories/GHSA-8jqp-qv73-395r Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ghidra-heap-use-after-free-in-highvariable-merge-during-decompilation Types: Third Party Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 10, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/security/advisories/GHSA-8jqp-qv73-395r -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jun. 10, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Ghidra before 12.1 contains a heap-use-after-free vulnerability in the decompiler's HighVariable::merge() function during the variable merging pass. Attackers can trigger this vulnerability by crafting a binary that causes stale pointers in the HighIntersectTest::highedgemap cache to be dereferenced, reading and writing the flags field of freed heap memory when a user opens the binary in Ghidra's decompiler view. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L Added CWE CWE-416 Added Reference https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/security/advisories/GHSA-8jqp-qv73-395r Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ghidra-heap-use-after-free-in-highvariable-merge-during-decompilation