CVE-2026-97038
Arbitrary code execution via crafted .syso files and cgo linker input files in cmd/go
Description
Building a malicious package containing ".syso" files or cgo linker inputs could inject arbitrary linker flags or execute arbitrary code at link time. Linker input files—including ".syso" files, direct object or library inputs in "#cgo LDFLAGS", and libraries in "-L" directories—were passed to the external linker without validating their format or checking for embedded linker options. Across platforms, this allowed executing GNU ld implicit linker scripts disguised as libraries or ".syso" files (or loaded via "-l:<filename>" or "-l" containing path separators), injecting unallowlisted linker flags via PE/COFF ".drectve" sections on Windows or Mach-O "LC_LINKER_OPTION" load commands on Darwin, or invoking LTO plugins via GCC or LLVM LTO intermediate representation sections in ELF, PE/COFF, or Mach-O objects. The go command now verifies that ".syso" files, direct linker inputs, and libraries in "-L" directories are valid binary objects or archives that do not contain unallowlisted ".drectve" directives, "LC_LINKER_OPTION" load commands, or LTO IR sections, and disallows "-l:<filename>" and ":", "=", or path separators in "-l" flags.
INFO
Published Date :
Nov. 11, 2026, 5:19 a.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 11, 2026, 5:19 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
Solution
- Update the Go toolchain to the latest secure version.
- Verify all dependency package linker inputs.
- Ensure linker flags are properly validated.
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-2026-97038.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://go.dev/cl/862151 | |
| https://go.dev/issue/82572 | |
| https://groups.google.com/g/golang-announce/c/iY8TY0wWgbM | |
| https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2026-6853 |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-97038 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-2026-97038
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-2026-97038 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-97038 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.
-
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Nov. 11, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Building a malicious package containing ".syso" files or cgo linker inputs could inject arbitrary linker flags or execute arbitrary code at link time. Linker input files—including ".syso" files, direct object or library inputs in "#cgo LDFLAGS", and libraries in "-L" directories—were passed to the external linker without validating their format or checking for embedded linker options. Across platforms, this allowed executing GNU ld implicit linker scripts disguised as libraries or ".syso" files (or loaded via "-l:<filename>" or "-l" containing path separators), injecting unallowlisted linker flags via PE/COFF ".drectve" sections on Windows or Mach-O "LC_LINKER_OPTION" load commands on Darwin, or invoking LTO plugins via GCC or LLVM LTO intermediate representation sections in ELF, PE/COFF, or Mach-O objects. The go command now verifies that ".syso" files, direct linker inputs, and libraries in "-L" directories are valid binary objects or archives that do not contain unallowlisted ".drectve" directives, "LC_LINKER_OPTION" load commands, or LTO IR sections, and disallows "-l:<filename>" and ":", "=", or path separators in "-l" flags. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/97xxx/CVE-2026-97038.json">CVE-2026-97038</a> Added Reference https://go.dev/cl/862151 Added Reference https://go.dev/issue/82572 Added Reference https://groups.google.com/g/golang-announce/c/iY8TY0wWgbM Added Reference https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2026-6853