📄 Description (English)
yTree 1.94-1.1 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an excessively long argument to the application. Attackers can craft a malicious command-line argument containing shellcode and a return address to overwrite the stack and execute code in the application context.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2016-20038 is a stack-based buffer overflow in yTree 1.94-1.1 that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code through excessively long command-line arguments. With a CVSS score of 8.4, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to systems running vulnerable versions. No patch is currently available, requiring organizations to implement compensating controls and consider alternative solutions.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 24, 2026 04:52
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily affects Saudi government agencies, research institutions, and system administrators who utilize yTree for file system management or tree-based directory operations. Government entities under NCA oversight and ARAMCO's IT infrastructure are at moderate risk if yTree is deployed in their environments. The local-only attack vector limits exposure but poses significant risk in multi-user systems, shared hosting environments, and development platforms common in Saudi financial and energy sectors.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government
Research and Education
System Administration
Energy (ARAMCO)
IT Infrastructure Management
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Inventory all systems running yTree 1.94-1.1 across your organization
2. Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable versions through access controls
3. Disable or remove yTree if not critical to operations
4. Implement principle of least privilege for user accounts
Compensating Controls:
1. Apply strict input validation and sanitization at the application wrapper level
2. Use AppArmor or SELinux profiles to restrict yTree process capabilities
3. Monitor command-line arguments passed to yTree using auditd rules
4. Implement stack canaries and ASLR at the OS level if not already enabled
5. Restrict execution permissions on yTree binary to authorized users only
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor for unusually long command-line arguments passed to yTree processes
2. Alert on any yTree process spawning shell or code execution utilities
3. Track failed and successful privilege escalation attempts from yTree context
4. Monitor for core dumps or segmentation faults from yTree processes
Long-term:
1. Evaluate alternative file tree utilities with active maintenance
2. Plan migration away from yTree to supported alternatives
3. Contact yTree maintainers regarding patch availability
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. قم بحصر جميع الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل yTree 1.94-1.1 في مؤسستك
2. قيد الوصول المحلي للأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل الإصدارات الضعيفة من خلال ضوابط الوصول
3. عطل أو أزل yTree إذا لم يكن حرجاً للعمليات
4. طبق مبدأ أقل امتياز لحسابات المستخدمين
الضوابط التعويضية:
1. طبق التحقق من صحة المدخلات والتنظيف على مستوى غلاف التطبيق
2. استخدم ملفات تعريف AppArmor أو SELinux لتقييد قدرات عملية yTree
3. راقب وسائط سطر الأوامر التي يتم تمريرها إلى yTree باستخدام قواعد auditd
4. طبق stack canaries و ASLR على مستوى نظام التشغيل إذا لم تكن مفعلة بالفعل
5. قيد أذونات التنفيذ على ملف yTree الثنائي للمستخدمين المصرح لهم فقط
قواعد الكشف:
1. راقب وسائط سطر الأوامر الطويلة بشكل غير عادي التي يتم تمريرها إلى عمليات yTree
2. أصدر تنبيهات عندما تقوم عملية yTree بتوليد أدوات shell أو تنفيذ الكود
3. تتبع محاولات تصعيد الامتيازات الفاشلة والناجحة من سياق yTree
4. راقب core dumps أو segmentation faults من عمليات yTree
المدى الطويل:
1. قيم أدوات شجرة الملفات البديلة ذات الصيانة النشطة
2. خطط للهجرة بعيداً عن yTree إلى بدائل مدعومة
3. اتصل بمسؤولي yTree بشأن توفر التصحيحات
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.8.1.1 - User access management
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.RA-1 - Asset management and vulnerability identification
PR.IP-12 - Software development and change management
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability scans and assessments
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.8.1.1 - User access management
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies