{
 "schema_version": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-20",
 "id": "ablation-tool-ablation--scan-x86-binary-for-memory-bugs",
 "repo": "Ablation-Tool/ablation",
 "repo_url": "https://github.com/Ablation-Tool/ablation",
 "repo_slug": "ablation-tool-ablation",
 "title": "Scan an x86-64 ELF for heap and format string bugs",
 "page_title": "How to scan an x86-64 ELF for heap and format string bugs with Ablation",
 "summary": "Flag allocation overflows, use-after-free, and unsafe printf-family format arguments.",
 "who": "A security engineer reviewing a Linux x86-64 service binary before a release who needs a quick memory-safety triage pass.",
 "problem": "Checking every allocation site and logging call for unsafe patterns by hand is slow and easy to miss items in.",
 "outcome": "A list of heuristic findings for heap issues and format-argument provenance, with the call sites to review first.",
 "steps": [
  "Run `cd ~/ablation && claude` to open the repo in Claude Code.",
  "Run `/model claude-sonnet-4-6` to set the model.",
  "Ask the agent to run the Heap Vulnerability Scanner and the Format String Scanner on <binary path>.",
  "Ask the agent to group the findings by function and mark which ones it could not confirm."
 ],
 "agent_prompt": "Using the Ablation repo at ~/ablation, run the Heap Vulnerability Scanner and Format String Scanner on <binary path>, which is an x86-64 ELF. Output a grouped list of findings with function name, address, and finding type. Verify that each finding names the specific call site and that heuristic results are labeled as heuristics.",
 "agents": [
  "claude-code",
  "codex"
 ],
 "difficulty": "Intermediate",
 "time": "45 minutes",
 "basis": "readme",
 "caveat": "The README describes these scanners as heuristics for supported x86-64 patterns, so expect false positives and check each one against the code.",
 "category": "Security and science",
 "tags": [
  "Security and science"
 ],
 "lang": "python",
 "requirements": [
  "A local clone of the Ablation repository at ~/ablation, as the README's launch step assumes",
  "Claude Code or Codex installed and signed in with model access",
  "A binary, firmware image, or source repository you are authorized to analyze",
  "Familiarity with reverse engineering concepts such as ELF, callgraphs, and taint tracking"
 ],
 "risk": "dual-use",
 "seen_in_the_wild": false,
 "mentioned_publicly": false,
 "risks": [
  {
   "tag": "reverse-engineering",
   "notice": "Findings are heuristic leads for a human to validate, and any exploitation work on them should stay within your authorized scope."
  }
 ],
 "best": false,
 "score": 0.9,
 "evidence": [],
 "url": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/ablation-tool-ablation/scan-x86-binary-for-memory-bugs/",
 "md": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/ablation-tool-ablation/scan-x86-binary-for-memory-bugs/index.md",
 "disclaimer": "Deduped lists open-source repositories that belong to other people. We do not own, maintain, audit, or vouch for any of them, and a repo appearing here is not an endorsement or a safety check. The use cases, steps, and prompts are written by AI and may be incomplete, outdated, or just wrong. Where a use case is marked \"Seen in the wild\", we link to public posts where someone described something similar, but we have not verified those posts and the use case itself is still our AI's own write-up. Use all of this at your own risk. Only run code, commands, or agents on systems and accounts you are authorized to use, and read the code and every command before you run it, especially anything that touches credentials, files, or the network. Nothing here is professional, security, legal, or financial advice. All trademarks and project names belong to their respective owners, and their use here does not imply affiliation. Content is provided as is, without warranties of any kind. Found a mistake, a safety problem, or something you want removed? Email hello@dedupedai.com and we will look at it promptly.",
 "api": "https://dedupedai.com/api/v1/usecases/ablation-tool-ablation--scan-x86-binary-for-memory-bugs.json",
 "api_version": "v1"
}