Gettext Family of Functions
Source GCVE Database
Mentioned vulnerabilities
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.0 High.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 19:53 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (glibc) | CVSS 3.1 | 7.0 |
|---|
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 30 Oct 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 30 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| The GNU C Libraryglibc | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Debiandebian/glibcpkg:deb/debian/glibcOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Users should ensure that programs using gettext do not accept untrusted LANGUAGE environment variables or run with AT_SECURE protections. Restricting or sanitizing environment variables such as LANGUAGE, LANG, and LC_ALL before passing them to programs using gettext is recommended. Additionally, ensure that message catalogs are stored only in trusted, read-only directories and that untrusted users cannot place files in locations readable by privileged programs. Monitor vendor advisories for any forthcoming official fixes.
Description
A vulnerability in the gettext family of functions in GNU C Library 2.0 and later allows attackers to exploit the LANGUAGE environment variable to load message catalogs from arbitrary filesystem locations. This can lead to program crashes or arbitrary code execution if a crafted .mo file is used. The issue arises because LANGUAGE entries containing '/' or '..' are accepted unless the program is setuid or setgid (AT_SECURE). Exploitation requires the attacker to control the environment and place malicious files in readable locations, and to select a locale other than "C", "C.<encoding>", or "POSIX".
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-84243 (opens in a new tab)
- inbox.sourceware.org/libc-alpha/20261012112453.47383-1-avinal.xlvii@gmail.com (opens in a new tab)
- sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=17142 (opens in a new tab)
- sourceware.org/git/?p=glibc.git;a=blob_plain;f=advisories/GLIBC-SA-2026-0025 (opens in a new tab)