Medium
patch — security advisory
GNU patch is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference when processing a specially crafted unified-diff patch file. Improper handling of consecutive end-of-file newline markers can corrupt internal hunk (single block of changes in diff) data structures, causing the application to pass a NULL pointer to fwrite() during patch processing. An attacker can trigger this condition with a malicious patch file, causing the utility to crash and resulting in a denial of service. This issue has been fixed in the commit e6d6a4e021660679d7fc9150f981d4920f722313
- Products
- patch
- Affected versions
- 2.7.1-3, 2.7.1-4, 2.7.1-4ubuntu1, 2.7.1-4ubuntu2, 2.7.1-4ubuntu2.3, 2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4, 2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4+esm1, 2.7.5-1, 2.7.5-1build1, 2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.1, 2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.2, 2.7.6-1, 2.7.6-2ubuntu1, 2.7.6-2ubuntu1.1, 2.7.6-6, 2.7.6-7, 2.7.6-7build1, 2.7.6-7build2, 2.7.6-7build3, 2.8-1, 2.8-2, 2.8-2build1
- Fixed versions
- Not specified
- CVEs
- CVE-2026-56288
- Confirmed fixed CVEs
- Not specified
- Updated in this feed
- 31 Oct 2026, 02:46 UTC · Revision 1
Source evidence
GNU patch is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference when processing a specially crafted unified-diff patch file. Improper handling of consecutive end-of-file newline markers can corrupt internal hunk (single block of changes in diff) data structures, causing the application to pass a NULL pointer to fwrite() during patch processing. An attacker can trigger this condition with a malicious patch file, causing the utility to crash and resulting in a denial of service. This issue has been fixed in the commit e6d6a4e021660679d7fc9150f981d4920f722313
osv:UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
patch
Fixed versions: Not specified
Complete source record
{
"id": "d6ea6696f14373026e088aabf0643088431a44c140c3d8a9e75f7b49c4b17f57",
"url": "https://osv.dev/vulnerability/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288",
"method": "structured",
"payload": {
"kind": "advisory",
"title": "UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288",
"summary": "GNU patch is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference when processing a specially crafted unified-diff patch file. Improper handling of consecutive end-of-file newline markers can corrupt internal hunk (single block of changes in diff) data structures, causing the application to pass a NULL pointer to fwrite() during patch processing. An attacker can trigger this condition with a malicious patch file, causing the utility to crash and resulting in a denial of service. This issue has been fixed in the commit e6d6a4e021660679d7fc9150f981d4920f722313",
"evidence": "osv:UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288",
"products": [
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/0/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.1-3",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.1-4",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.1-4ubuntu1",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.1-4ubuntu2",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.1-4ubuntu2.3",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4+esm1",
"evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/1/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.5-1",
"evidence": "/affected/1/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.1",
"evidence": "/affected/1/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.2",
"evidence": "/affected/1/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/2/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.5-1build1",
"evidence": "/affected/2/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.6-1",
"evidence": "/affected/2/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.6-2ubuntu1",
"evidence": "/affected/2/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.6-2ubuntu1.1",
"evidence": "/affected/2/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/3/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.6-6",
"evidence": "/affected/3/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/4/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.6-7",
"evidence": "/affected/4/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.6-7build1",
"evidence": "/affected/4/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.6-7build2",
"evidence": "/affected/4/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/5/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.6-7build2",
"evidence": "/affected/5/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.7.6-7build3",
"evidence": "/affected/5/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/6/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.7.6-7build3",
"evidence": "/affected/6/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.8-1",
"evidence": "/affected/6/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.8-2",
"evidence": "/affected/6/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/7/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.8-2build1",
"evidence": "/affected/7/versions"
}
]
},
{
"name": {
"value": "patch",
"evidence": "/affected/8/package/name"
},
"prerequisites": [],
"fixed_versions": [],
"affected_versions": [
{
"value": "2.8-2",
"evidence": "/affected/8/versions"
},
{
"value": "2.8-2build1",
"evidence": "/affected/8/versions"
}
]
}
],
"severity": "medium",
"structured": {
"id": "UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288",
"aliases": [
"UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288"
],
"metrics": [
{
"type": "CVSS_V4",
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
},
{
"type": "CVSS_V3",
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
},
{
"type": "Ubuntu",
"score": "low"
}
],
"affected": [
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=esm-infra-legacy%2Ftrusty",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.1-3",
"2.7.1-4",
"2.7.1-4ubuntu1",
"2.7.1-4ubuntu2",
"2.7.1-4ubuntu2.3",
"2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4",
"2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4+esm1"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.7.1-4ubuntu2.4+esm1"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=xenial",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:16.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.5-1",
"2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.1",
"2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.2"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.7.5-1ubuntu0.16.04.2"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=bionic",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:18.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.5-1build1",
"2.7.6-1",
"2.7.6-2ubuntu1",
"2.7.6-2ubuntu1.1"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.7.6-2ubuntu1.1"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=focal",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:20.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.6-6"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.7.6-6"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=jammy",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:22.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.6-7",
"2.7.6-7build1",
"2.7.6-7build2"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.7.6-7build2"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=noble",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:24.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.6-7build2",
"2.7.6-7build3"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.7.6-7build3"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=questing",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:25.10"
},
"versions": [
"2.7.6-7build3",
"2.8-1",
"2.8-2"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.8-2"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=stonking",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:26.10"
},
"versions": [
"2.8-2build1"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.8-2build1"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
},
{
"ranges": [
{
"type": "ECOSYSTEM",
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
]
}
],
"package": {
"name": "patch",
"purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/patch?arch=source&distro=resolute",
"ecosystem": "Ubuntu:26.04:LTS"
},
"versions": [
"2.8-2",
"2.8-2build1"
],
"database_specific": {
"source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-56288.json"
},
"ecosystem_specific": {
"binaries": [
{
"binary_name": "patch",
"binary_version": "2.8-2build1"
}
],
"priority_reason": "Only a crash in a command line tool"
}
}
],
"modified": "2026-10-17T12:59:09.942251391Z",
"provider": "osv",
"upstream": [
"CVE-2026-56288"
],
"references": [
"https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-56288",
"https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-56288",
"https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/07/CVE-2026-56288"
]
},
"related_cves": [
{
"value": "CVE-2026-56288",
"evidence": "/upstream"
}
],
"security_relevant": true,
"severity_evidence": "/severity/1/score"
},
"source_id": "core-osv",
"document_id": 359366,
"published_at": "2026-07-09T11:16:00+00:00"
}