CVE-2016-20044 in PInfo
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2026
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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-20044 resides within PInfo version 0.6.9-5.1, a tool designed for information retrieval and processing. This local buffer overflow represents a critical security flaw that directly impacts system integrity and user privilege escalation capabilities. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes command-line arguments, specifically targeting the -m parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow exploits a classic stack-based vulnerability where insufficient input validation allows attackers to exceed the allocated buffer space. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly bounds-check the input supplied to the -m parameter, enabling an attacker to supply a carefully crafted string of 564 bytes of padding followed by a return address. This specific byte count represents the precise offset required to overwrite the instruction pointer and redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when a program writes data past the end of a fixed-length buffer.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to system security as it allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have legitimate access to the system. The execution of shellcode with user privileges can potentially lead to privilege escalation, lateral movement, or data exfiltration depending on the attacker's objectives and the system's configuration.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities as it represents a foundational security weakness that can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios. Attackers can use this vulnerability as a foothold to establish persistence, deploy additional malicious payloads, or gain access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall within the privilege escalation and execution domains, specifically targeting techniques that exploit software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including input validation, stack protection mechanisms, and regular software updates to address this vulnerability and prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation efforts should prioritize the immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of additional security controls such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to prevent successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development practices, particularly for applications that process user-supplied data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other system components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.