Binary Security Vulnerabilities

Binary analysis discovers vulnerabilities in compiled software—containers, firmware, and third-party vendor applications—without requiring access to the original source code. Precogs AI provides deep visibility into memory corruption, hardcoded secrets, and cryptographic flaws post-compilation.

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How does Binary SAST testing differ from traditional source code analysis?

Unlike traditional Static Application Security Testing (SAST) which requires source code, Binary SAST works directly on the final compiled artifact (like an ELF executable, Docker image, or automotive ECU firmware). This allows you to uncover risks introduced by the compiler, hidden in third-party libraries, or embedded in closed-source vendor supply chains where source code isn't available.

Explore Binary Security by Category

Deep-dive into specific areas of binary security to understand the attack surfaces, common vulnerability patterns, and how Precogs AI provides protection.

By Target Type

Containers

Docker ImagesVulnerabilities in Docker container images including base OS layers, installed packages, and misconfigurations→OCI ArtifactsSecurity flaws in Open Container Initiative artifacts used across Kubernetes and cloud-native platforms→Kubernetes PodsRuntime security issues in Kubernetes pod configurations, privilege escalation, and container escape vectors→

Firmware & IoT

Router FirmwareBuffer overflows, backdoors, and command injection in consumer and enterprise router firmware→Embedded DevicesMemory corruption and hardcoded credentials in ARM/MIPS embedded system firmware→UEFI BootloadersSecure Boot bypass, persistent rootkits, and firmware supply chain attacks targeting UEFI→

Executables

Linux ELF BinariesExploitable vulnerabilities in Linux executables including privilege escalation and memory corruption→Windows PE FilesDLL hijacking, PE header manipulation, and code injection in Windows executables→macOS Mach-OCode signing bypasses and library injection in macOS native binaries→

Automotive, Healthcare & Robotics

Automotive ECUsCAN bus injection, firmware backdoors, and memory corruption in vehicle Electronic Control Units→Healthcare DevicesHardcoded medical device credentials, unencrypted telemetry, and binary flaws in patient monitors→Robotics & ICSReal-Time Operating System (RTOS) vulnerabilities, insecure comms protocols, and PLC firmware exploitation→

By Supply Chain Component

Base OS Layers

Alpine LinuxVulnerabilities in Alpine musl libc, apk package manager, and minimal container base images→Debian / UbuntuSecurity flaws in the most widely used Linux distribution package ecosystem→DistrolessEven stripped-down images inherit vulnerabilities from compiler toolchains and base libraries→

Third-Party Libraries

OpenSSL / libsslCryptographic library vulnerabilities affecting TLS implementations across compiled applications→log4jDeserialization and JNDI injection in the ubiquitous Java logging framework→glibcGNU C Library vulnerabilities affecting virtually every Linux compiled binary→

Language Runtimes

Python WheelsNative extension vulnerabilities in compiled Python packages embedded in container images→Java JARsDeserialization, reflection, and classpath exploitation in Java archives within containers→Go ModulesStatically-linked Go binaries inheriting vulnerable stdlib and third-party module code→

By Language

Systems Languages

C / C++Buffer overflows, Use-After-Free, integer overflows, and format string attacks in native code→GoUnsafe pointer usage, goroutine race conditions, and stdlib vulnerabilities in compiled Go binaries→RustUnsafe blocks, memory safety bypasses, and FFI boundary vulnerabilities in compiled Rust→

Managed Languages

Java / KotlinDeserialization attacks, reflection abuse, and JVM escape in compiled JAR/AAR files→.NET / C#Assembly reflection, type confusion, and DLL hijacking in .NET binaries→

Vulnerability Types

CWE-798

HIGH

Use of Hard-coded Credentials

Embedding passwords, API keys, or cryptographic keys directly in compiled code. Attackers can extract these from binarie...

CWE-327

HIGH

Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm

Using weak or deprecated cryptographic algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, DES, RC4) in compiled software, making encrypted data vul...

CWE-295

HIGH

Improper Certificate Validation

Runtime discovery of TLS/SSL implementations that fail to properly validate certificates, enabling man-in-the-middle att...

CWE-676

HIGH

Use of Potentially Dangerous Function

Calling unsafe C/C++ functions like gets(), strcpy(), sprintf() that lack bounds checking, creating exploitable vulnerab...

CWE-134

HIGH

Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

When user-supplied data is used as a format string in printf-family functions, attackers can read/write arbitrary memory...

CWE-457

HIGH

Use of Uninitialized Variable

Using a variable before it has been initialized can expose stale memory contents, potentially leaking sensitive data or ...

CWE-843

HIGH

Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type (Type Confusion)

Accessing resources using an incorrect type can corrupt memory and enable code execution. Common in C++ virtual table ex...

CWE-252

HIGH

Unchecked Return Value

Failing to check the return value of security-critical functions (malloc, open, fread) in compiled code can lead to null...

CWE-287

HIGH

Improper Authentication

Authentication bypass vulnerabilities discovered at runtime — default credentials, missing auth checks, or broken sessio...

CWE-306

HIGH

Missing Authentication for Critical Function

Critical functions accessible without authentication in running firmware or APIs. Common in IoT devices and industrial c...

Recently Discovered in Binary Security

Browse the latest vulnerabilities and exposures dynamically tracked to the Binary Security domain.

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