Stack-based Buffer Overflow Affecting gawk package, versions <0:5.1.0-6.el9_8.1


Severity

Recommended
medium

Based on AlmaLinux security rating.

Threat Intelligence

EPSS
0.29% (20th percentile)

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  • Snyk IDSNYK-ALMALINUX9-GAWK-20360456
  • published1 Oct 2026
  • disclosed29 Sept 2026

Introduced: 29 Sep 2026

NewCVE-2026-40553  (opens in a new tab)
CWE-121  (opens in a new tab)

How to fix?

Upgrade AlmaLinux:9 gawk to version 0:5.1.0-6.el9_8.1 or higher.
This issue was patched in ALSA-2026:73512.

NVD Description

Note: Versions mentioned in the description apply only to the upstream gawk package and not the gawk package as distributed by AlmaLinux. See How to fix? for AlmaLinux:9 relevant fixed versions and status.

Buffer overflow vulnerability has been found in "extension/readdir.c" program file of gawk (ftype() routine). This issue could be used to crash the program and potentially to achieve code execution, although the latter has not been confirmed to be feasible. It affects gawk in versions 5.4.0 and below.

CVSS Base Scores

version 3.1