Termux: Corrupted Libandroid-glob Breaks Ffmpeg

Nov 17, 2025 by Admin 48 views

Termux Bug Alert: libandroid-glob 0.7 Corruption Causing Problems with ffmpeg and Other Packages

Hey guys, have you been experiencing issues with ffmpeg or other packages in your Termux environment? Well, it looks like there's a nasty bug lurking in the libandroid-glob package, specifically version 0.7. This bug results in a corrupted library file, leading to some serious headaches when trying to use certain applications. Let's dive in and see what's going on, how it affects you, and most importantly, how to fix it! The core issue lies within the libandroid-glob package, a crucial component for compatibility within Termux. The faulty package contains a corrupted library file, specifically /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/lib/libandroid-glob.so, which is only 1 byte in size. This small size is a clear indication that something went wrong during the build or packaging process, causing the file to be incomplete. This corruption disrupts the normal operation of packages that depend on libandroid-glob.so, causing them to fail when they try to link against this corrupted file. As a result, you might encounter link errors when trying to run applications like ffmpeg7, and imagemagick. This is because these applications rely on libandroid-glob.so to function correctly.

The Root of the Problem: Corrupted Library File

At the heart of the issue is the corrupted libandroid-glob.so file. Instead of being a proper symbolic link or a functional library file, it's a tiny, useless 1-byte file. The purpose of libandroid-glob is to provide compatibility by acting as a symbolic link to the system's libc library. When this link is broken, as it is in the affected version, packages that depend on it can't find the necessary system libraries to run correctly. Let's break down the problem further. The file command, which is used to determine the type of a file, confirms that the libandroid-glob.so file is indeed very short and not a valid ELF executable. The apt-get download libandroid-glob command, followed by dpkg-deb -c, reveals that the corrupted file is present within the package itself. This confirms that the issue isn't a problem with installation or file system corruption, but an issue with the package contents themselves. The corrupted file prevents ffmpeg and other dependent packages from launching, which can be frustrating. So, when these programs try to use the library, they crash.

Reproducing the Bug: Steps to Encounter the Issue

Want to see this bug in action? Here's how you can reproduce it:

Update Packages: First, make sure your Termux packages are up-to-date. This is important because it's through the update process that you'll likely receive the buggy libandroid-glob version 0.7.
Install ffmpeg7: Install the ffmpeg7 package using pkg install ffmpeg7. This command attempts to install the video and audio editing tool, which depends on libandroid-glob.
Run ffmpeg: Try to run ffmpeg by typing ffmpeg -version. This command checks if the tool is installed correctly by displaying its version information. If the bug is present, you'll see an error message instead of the version information.
Observe the Link Error: The error message you'll see will likely be something like "CANNOT LINK EXECUTABLE ... libandroid-glob.so is too small to be an ELF executable". This error confirms the corrupted library file is the culprit. By following these steps, you can directly experience the impact of the bug. The ffmpeg -version command is a simple test that quickly reveals if the necessary dependencies are working as intended.

The Error Message Decoded: What's Going Wrong?

The error message, "CANNOT LINK EXECUTABLE ... libandroid-glob.so is too small to be an ELF executable: only found 1 bytes," is the key to understanding the problem. Let's decode it: The message indicates a failure during the linking process. When a program starts, it needs to link to the required libraries. Here, it is trying to use libandroid-glob.so. The error states that the libandroid-glob.so file is not a valid ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) executable because it's too small (only 1 byte). A valid library file has a specific structure and contains the code needed for linking. The file is corrupted, the system can't use it, and the application fails to run. The error provides a direct cause for the problem. You can quickly identify the reason for the issue. This allows for focused troubleshooting.

The Workaround: A Temporary Fix

Fortunately, there's a workaround to get things working again. Here's how you can fix the problem. The workaround involves manually creating a symbolic link. It replaces the corrupted file with a proper link: The command rm /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/lib/libandroid-glob.so removes the problematic 1-byte file. The command ln -s /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/lib/libc++_shared.so /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/lib/libandroid-glob.so creates a symbolic link to the libc++_shared.so library. This tells the system to use the correct library instead of the corrupted one. After this workaround, ffmpeg and other affected packages should start working correctly. This workaround is a temporary solution until the package maintainers fix the build process.

Expected Behavior vs. Reality: What Should Happen

Ideally, libandroid-glob.so should be a symbolic link to a libc library, ensuring compatibility and correct operation of dependent packages. When installed, libandroid-glob.so should be a proper symbolic link. This link should point to the correct libc library file, enabling applications to find the necessary system libraries for execution. The current situation, where the file is a corrupted 1-byte file, is incorrect. This breaks the link and causes programs to fail. The package should automatically create the correct symbolic link during installation. This is a fundamental aspect of the package's design and functionality.

System Information: Context of the Issue

To better understand the problem, here's some system information:

Termux version: 0.118.1
Android version: 14
Device: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (SM-S918B)
Kernel: Linux 5.15.178-android13-8-31998796-abS918BXXS8EYJ3
Architecture: aarch64
Package information: libandroid-glob/stable,now 0.7 aarch64 [installed], ffmpeg7/tur-packages,now 7.1.2 aarch64 [installed]

This information helps pinpoint the specific environment where the bug occurs. Knowing the Termux, Android, and device details helps in identifying if the problem is specific to a particular setup. Also, the ffmpeg7 and libandroid-glob packages versions are listed for context.

Related Issues: Possible Connections

There's a chance this issue is related to another similar problem. It's related to the libandroid-posix-semaphore.so file, also from packages built on November 10, 2025. This suggests a potential issue in the build process on that date. The build process for packages built on November 10, 2025, might have had errors. This information may suggest a systemic problem related to the build environment or a change in the build process that needs to be addressed.

Suggested Fix: A Path to Resolution

The ultimate fix involves correcting the package build script for libandroid-glob. Here's what needs to be done: The build script needs to be modified to properly create the symbolic link. Instead of creating a 1-byte file, the script should correctly generate the link to the appropriate libc library. The issue likely arose during the build process on November 10, 2025. This indicates a specific time frame when the problem was introduced. The package maintainers should investigate the build script used on that date to identify and fix the issue. This will prevent similar problems from occurring in the future. The fix will ensure that the correct symbolic link is created during the package installation. This is crucial for the proper functioning of dependent packages.

So there you have it, guys. A quick rundown of the libandroid-glob bug, how it affects you, and how to fix it. Keep an eye out for updates, and hopefully, the Termux team will roll out a permanent fix soon! If you're experiencing this issue, remember to use the workaround, and you'll be back in action in no time. Happy coding!