diff --git a/bfd/bfd-in2.h b/bfd/bfd-in2.h
index c405592618e..e2deb107494 100644
--- a/bfd/bfd-in2.h
+++ b/bfd/bfd-in2.h
@@ -2722,17 +2722,19 @@ bfd_vma bfd_emul_get_commonpagesize (const char *);
 char *bfd_demangle (bfd *, const char *, int);
 
 /* Extracted from bfdio.c.  */
-bfd_size_type bfd_read (void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *);
+bfd_size_type bfd_read (void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *)
+ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
-bfd_size_type bfd_write (const void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *);
+bfd_size_type bfd_write (const void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *)
+ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
-file_ptr bfd_tell (bfd *);
+file_ptr bfd_tell (bfd *) ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 int bfd_flush (bfd *);
 
-int bfd_stat (bfd *, struct stat *);
+int bfd_stat (bfd *, struct stat *) ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
-int bfd_seek (bfd *, file_ptr, int);
+int bfd_seek (bfd *, file_ptr, int) ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 long bfd_get_mtime (bfd *abfd);
 
@@ -2742,7 +2744,8 @@ ufile_ptr bfd_get_file_size (bfd *abfd);
 
 void *bfd_mmap (bfd *abfd, void *addr, bfd_size_type len,
     int prot, int flags, file_ptr offset,
-    void **map_addr, bfd_size_type *map_len);
+    void **map_addr, bfd_size_type *map_len)
+ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 /* Extracted from bfdwin.c.  */
 struct _bfd_window_internal;
diff --git a/bfd/bfdio.c b/bfd/bfdio.c
index 59ac1263007..457562f8c7c 100644
--- a/bfd/bfdio.c
+++ b/bfd/bfdio.c
@@ -234,7 +234,8 @@ FUNCTION
 	bfd_read
 
 SYNOPSIS
-	bfd_size_type bfd_read (void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *);
+	bfd_size_type bfd_read (void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *)
+				ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 DESCRIPTION
 	Attempt to read SIZE bytes from ABFD's iostream to PTR.
@@ -299,7 +300,8 @@ FUNCTION
 	bfd_write
 
 SYNOPSIS
-	bfd_size_type bfd_write (const void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *);
+	bfd_size_type bfd_write (const void *, bfd_size_type, bfd *)
+				ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 DESCRIPTION
 	Attempt to write SIZE bytes to ABFD's iostream from PTR.
@@ -347,7 +349,7 @@ FUNCTION
 	bfd_tell
 
 SYNOPSIS
-	file_ptr bfd_tell (bfd *);
+	file_ptr bfd_tell (bfd *) ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 DESCRIPTION
 	Return ABFD's iostream file position.
@@ -404,7 +406,7 @@ FUNCTION
 	bfd_stat
 
 SYNOPSIS
-	int bfd_stat (bfd *, struct stat *);
+	int bfd_stat (bfd *, struct stat *) ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 DESCRIPTION
 	Call fstat on ABFD's iostream.  Return 0 on success, and a
@@ -437,7 +439,7 @@ FUNCTION
 	bfd_seek
 
 SYNOPSIS
-	int bfd_seek (bfd *, file_ptr, int);
+	int bfd_seek (bfd *, file_ptr, int) ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 DESCRIPTION
 	Call fseek on ABFD's iostream.  Return 0 on success, and a
@@ -638,7 +640,8 @@ FUNCTION
 SYNOPSIS
 	void *bfd_mmap (bfd *abfd, void *addr, bfd_size_type len,
 			int prot, int flags, file_ptr offset,
-			void **map_addr, bfd_size_type *map_len);
+			void **map_addr, bfd_size_type *map_len)
+			ATTRIBUTE_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
 
 DESCRIPTION
 	Return mmap()ed region of the file, if possible and implemented.
diff --git a/bfd/coff-rs6000.c b/bfd/coff-rs6000.c
index 06d0fd854a6..7dd80a5c08f 100644
--- a/bfd/coff-rs6000.c
+++ b/bfd/coff-rs6000.c
@@ -2193,8 +2193,12 @@ xcoff_write_armap_big (bfd *abfd, unsigned int elength ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	    }
 	}
 
-      bfd_write (symbol_table, symbol_table_size, abfd);
-
+      if (bfd_write (symbol_table, symbol_table_size, abfd)
+	  != symbol_table_size)
+	{
+	  free (symbol_table);
+	  return false;
+	}
       free (symbol_table);
 
       prevoff = nextoff;
@@ -2273,8 +2277,12 @@ xcoff_write_armap_big (bfd *abfd, unsigned int elength ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	    }
 	}
 
-      bfd_write (symbol_table, symbol_table_size, abfd);
-
+      if (bfd_write (symbol_table, symbol_table_size, abfd)
+	  != symbol_table_size)
+	{
+	  free (symbol_table);
+	  return false;
+	}
       free (symbol_table);
 
       PRINT20 (fhdr->symoff64, nextoff);
@@ -4204,7 +4212,10 @@ xcoff_generate_rtinit  (bfd *abfd, const char *init, const char *fini,
       string_table_size += 4;
       string_table = (bfd_byte *) bfd_zmalloc (string_table_size);
       if (string_table == NULL)
-	return false;
+	{
+	  free (data_buffer);
+	  return false;
+	}
 
       val = string_table_size;
       bfd_h_put_32 (abfd, val, &string_table[0]);
@@ -4354,18 +4365,21 @@ xcoff_generate_rtinit  (bfd *abfd, const char *init, const char *fini,
   filehdr.f_symptr = scnhdr.s_relptr + scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ;
 
   bfd_coff_swap_filehdr_out (abfd, &filehdr, filehdr_ext);
-  bfd_write (filehdr_ext, FILHSZ, abfd);
   bfd_coff_swap_scnhdr_out (abfd, &scnhdr, scnhdr_ext);
-  bfd_write (scnhdr_ext, SCNHSZ, abfd);
-  bfd_write (data_buffer, data_buffer_size, abfd);
-  bfd_write (reloc_ext, scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ, abfd);
-  bfd_write (syment_ext, filehdr.f_nsyms * SYMESZ, abfd);
-  bfd_write (string_table, string_table_size, abfd);
-
+  bool ret = true;
+  if (bfd_write (filehdr_ext, FILHSZ, abfd) != FILHSZ
+      || bfd_write (scnhdr_ext, SCNHSZ, abfd) != SCNHSZ
+      || bfd_write (data_buffer, data_buffer_size, abfd) != data_buffer_size
+      || (bfd_write (reloc_ext, scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ, abfd)
+	  != scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ)
+      || (bfd_write (syment_ext, filehdr.f_nsyms * SYMESZ, abfd)
+	  != (bfd_size_type) filehdr.f_nsyms * SYMESZ)
+      || bfd_write (string_table, string_table_size, abfd) != string_table_size)
+    ret = false;
+
+  free (string_table);
   free (data_buffer);
-  data_buffer = NULL;
-
-  return true;
+  return ret;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/bfd/coff-stgo32.c b/bfd/coff-stgo32.c
index 84037702889..8f9087970b4 100644
--- a/bfd/coff-stgo32.c
+++ b/bfd/coff-stgo32.c
@@ -299,7 +299,8 @@ go32exe_check_format (bfd *abfd)
   /* Save now the stub to be used later.  Put the stub data to a temporary
      location first as tdata still does not exist.  It may not even
      be ever created if we are just checking the file format of ABFD.  */
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0)
+    goto fail;
   go32exe_temp_stub = bfd_malloc (stubsize);
   if (go32exe_temp_stub == NULL)
     goto fail;
diff --git a/bfd/coff64-rs6000.c b/bfd/coff64-rs6000.c
index 8a7647afc98..54f9dcd5e5a 100644
--- a/bfd/coff64-rs6000.c
+++ b/bfd/coff64-rs6000.c
@@ -2232,7 +2232,10 @@ xcoff64_generate_rtinit (bfd *abfd, const char *init, const char *fini,
 
   string_table = (bfd_byte *) bfd_zmalloc (string_table_size);
   if (string_table == NULL)
-    return false;
+    {
+      free (data_buffer);
+      return false;
+    }
 
   val = string_table_size;
   bfd_put_32 (abfd, val, &string_table[0]);
@@ -2383,20 +2386,23 @@ xcoff64_generate_rtinit (bfd *abfd, const char *init, const char *fini,
   filehdr.f_symptr = data_scnhdr.s_relptr + data_scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ;
 
   bfd_coff_swap_filehdr_out (abfd, &filehdr, filehdr_ext);
-  bfd_write (filehdr_ext, FILHSZ, abfd);
   bfd_coff_swap_scnhdr_out (abfd, &text_scnhdr, &scnhdr_ext[SCNHSZ * 0]);
   bfd_coff_swap_scnhdr_out (abfd, &data_scnhdr, &scnhdr_ext[SCNHSZ * 1]);
   bfd_coff_swap_scnhdr_out (abfd, &bss_scnhdr, &scnhdr_ext[SCNHSZ * 2]);
-  bfd_write (scnhdr_ext, 3 * SCNHSZ, abfd);
-  bfd_write (data_buffer, data_buffer_size, abfd);
-  bfd_write (reloc_ext, data_scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ, abfd);
-  bfd_write (syment_ext, filehdr.f_nsyms * SYMESZ, abfd);
-  bfd_write (string_table, string_table_size, abfd);
-
+  bool ret = true;
+  if (bfd_write (filehdr_ext, FILHSZ, abfd) != FILHSZ
+      || bfd_write (scnhdr_ext, 3 * SCNHSZ, abfd) != 3 * SCNHSZ
+      || bfd_write (data_buffer, data_buffer_size, abfd) != data_buffer_size
+      || (bfd_write (reloc_ext, data_scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ, abfd)
+	  != data_scnhdr.s_nreloc * RELSZ)
+      || (bfd_write (syment_ext, filehdr.f_nsyms * SYMESZ, abfd)
+	  != (bfd_size_type) filehdr.f_nsyms * SYMESZ)
+      || bfd_write (string_table, string_table_size, abfd) != string_table_size)
+    ret = false;
+
+  free (string_table);
   free (data_buffer);
-  data_buffer = NULL;
-
-  return true;
+  return ret;
 }
 
 /* The typical dynamic reloc.  */
diff --git a/bfd/coffcode.h b/bfd/coffcode.h
index 99d9a5602d7..6789f7f3cc6 100644
--- a/bfd/coffcode.h
+++ b/bfd/coffcode.h
@@ -3411,7 +3411,8 @@ coff_apply_checksum (bfd *abfd)
     return false;
 
   checksum = 0;
-  bfd_write (&checksum, 4, abfd);
+  if (bfd_write (&checksum, 4, abfd) != 4)
+    return false;
 
   if (bfd_seek (abfd, peheader, SEEK_SET) != 0)
     return false;
@@ -3423,9 +3424,7 @@ coff_apply_checksum (bfd *abfd)
   if (bfd_seek (abfd, peheader + 0x58, SEEK_SET) != 0)
     return false;
 
-  bfd_write (&checksum, 4, abfd);
-
-  return true;
+  return bfd_write (&checksum, 4, abfd) == 4;
 }
 
 #endif /* COFF_IMAGE_WITH_PE */
@@ -3885,16 +3884,28 @@ coff_write_object_contents (bfd * abfd)
 
 #if defined (COFF_GO32_EXE) || defined (COFF_GO32)
   /* Pad section headers.  */
-  if ((abfd->flags & EXEC_P) && abfd->sections != NULL)
+  if ((abfd->flags & EXEC_P) != 0)
     {
-      file_ptr cur_ptr = scn_base
-			 + abfd->section_count * bfd_coff_scnhsz (abfd);
-      long fill_size = (abfd->sections->filepos - cur_ptr);
-      bfd_byte *b = bfd_zmalloc (fill_size);
-      if (b)
+      asection *s = abfd->sections;
+      while (s != NULL && s->filepos == 0)
+	s = s->next;
+      if (s != NULL)
 	{
-	  bfd_write (b, fill_size, abfd);
-	  free (b);
+	  file_ptr cur_ptr
+	    = scn_base + abfd->section_count * bfd_coff_scnhsz (abfd);
+	  file_ptr fill_size = s->filepos - cur_ptr;
+	  if (fill_size > 0)
+	    {
+	      bfd_byte *b = bfd_zmalloc (fill_size);
+	      if (!b)
+		return false;
+	      if (bfd_write (b, fill_size, abfd) != (ufile_ptr) fill_size)
+		{
+		  free (b);
+		  return false;
+		}
+	      free (b);
+	    }
 	}
     }
 #endif
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c b/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c
index 28d30692b7d..f8e9922fc4a 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c
@@ -4712,6 +4712,7 @@ elf64_vms_write_shdrs_and_ehdr (bfd *abfd)
 static bool
 elf64_vms_close_and_cleanup (bfd *abfd)
 {
+  bool ret = true;
   if (bfd_get_format (abfd) == bfd_object)
     {
       long isize;
@@ -4720,15 +4721,16 @@ elf64_vms_close_and_cleanup (bfd *abfd)
       isize = bfd_get_size (abfd);
       if ((isize & 7) != 0)
 	{
-	  int ishort = 8 - (isize & 7);
+	  unsigned int ishort = 8 - (isize & 7);
 	  uint64_t pad = 0;
 
-	  bfd_seek (abfd, isize, SEEK_SET);
-	  bfd_write (&pad, ishort, abfd);
+	  if (bfd_seek (abfd, isize, SEEK_SET) != 0
+	      || bfd_write (&pad, ishort, abfd) != ishort)
+	    ret = false;
 	}
     }
 
-  return _bfd_generic_close_and_cleanup (abfd);
+  return _bfd_generic_close_and_cleanup (abfd) && ret;
 }
 
 /* Add symbols from an ELF object file to the linker hash table.  */
diff --git a/bfd/pef.c b/bfd/pef.c
index 9c436a6fef7..79c7f9d3a70 100644
--- a/bfd/pef.c
+++ b/bfd/pef.c
@@ -386,8 +386,8 @@ bfd_pef_scan_section (bfd *abfd, bfd_pef_section *section)
 {
   unsigned char buf[28];
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, section->header_offset, SEEK_SET);
-  if (bfd_read (buf, 28, abfd) != 28)
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, section->header_offset, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_read (buf, 28, abfd) != 28)
     return -1;
 
   section->name_offset = bfd_h_get_32 (abfd, buf);
@@ -568,9 +568,8 @@ bfd_pef_read_header (bfd *abfd, bfd_pef_header *header)
 {
   unsigned char buf[40];
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
-
-  if (bfd_read (buf, 40, abfd) != 40)
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_read (buf, 40, abfd) != 40)
     return -1;
 
   header->tag1 = bfd_getb32 (buf);
@@ -1072,9 +1071,8 @@ bfd_pef_xlib_read_header (bfd *abfd, bfd_pef_xlib_header *header)
 {
   unsigned char buf[80];
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
-
-  if (bfd_read (buf, sizeof buf, abfd) != sizeof buf)
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_read (buf, sizeof buf, abfd) != sizeof buf)
     return -1;
 
   header->tag1 = bfd_getb32 (buf);
diff --git a/bfd/vms-alpha.c b/bfd/vms-alpha.c
index 7fc73c655f2..f4d1e009d06 100644
--- a/bfd/vms-alpha.c
+++ b/bfd/vms-alpha.c
@@ -2923,7 +2923,7 @@ alpha_vms_object_p (bfd *abfd)
 
 /* Write an EMH/MHD record.  */
 
-static void
+static bool
 _bfd_vms_write_emh (bfd *abfd)
 {
   struct vms_rec_wr *recwr = &PRIV (recwr);
@@ -2952,12 +2952,12 @@ _bfd_vms_write_emh (bfd *abfd)
   _bfd_vms_output_counted (recwr, BFD_VERSION_STRING);
   _bfd_vms_output_dump (recwr, get_vms_time_string (tbuf), EMH_DATE_LENGTH);
   _bfd_vms_output_fill (recwr, 0, EMH_DATE_LENGTH);
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+  return _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
 }
 
 /* Write an EMH/LMN record.  */
 
-static void
+static bool
 _bfd_vms_write_lmn (bfd *abfd, const char *name)
 {
   char version [64];
@@ -2970,7 +2970,7 @@ _bfd_vms_write_lmn (bfd *abfd, const char *name)
   snprintf (version, sizeof (version), "%s %d.%d.%d", name,
 	    ver / 10000, (ver / 100) % 100, ver % 100);
   _bfd_vms_output_dump (recwr, (unsigned char *)version, strlen (version));
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+  return _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
 }
 
 
@@ -3008,8 +3008,7 @@ _bfd_vms_write_eeom (bfd *abfd)
       _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, 0);
     }
 
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
-  return true;
+  return _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
 }
 
 static void *
@@ -3484,8 +3483,9 @@ alpha_vms_write_exec (bfd *abfd)
       struct vms_rec_wr *recwr = &PRIV (recwr);
       unsigned int i;
 
-      _bfd_vms_write_emh (abfd);
-      _bfd_vms_write_lmn (abfd, "GNU LD");
+      if (!_bfd_vms_write_emh (abfd)
+	  || !_bfd_vms_write_lmn (abfd, "GNU LD"))
+	return false;
 
       /* PSC for the absolute section.  */
       _bfd_vms_output_begin (recwr, EOBJ__C_EGSD);
@@ -3496,7 +3496,8 @@ alpha_vms_write_exec (bfd *abfd)
       _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, 0);
       _bfd_vms_output_counted (recwr, ".$$ABS$$.");
       _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (recwr);
-      _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+      if (!_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+	return false;
 
       for (i = 0; i < PRIV (gsd_sym_count); i++)
 	{
@@ -3529,11 +3530,13 @@ alpha_vms_write_exec (bfd *abfd)
 	  _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, 0);
 	  _bfd_vms_output_counted (recwr, sym->name);
 	  _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (recwr);
-	  if ((i % 5) == 4)
-	    _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+	  if ((i % 5) == 4
+	      && !_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+	    return false;
 	}
-      if ((i % 5) != 0)
-	_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+      if ((i % 5) != 0
+	  && !_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+	return false;
 
       if (!_bfd_vms_write_eeom (abfd))
 	return false;
@@ -3591,7 +3594,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_egsd (bfd *abfd)
       /* 13 bytes egsd, max 31 chars name -> should be 44 bytes.  */
       if (_bfd_vms_output_check (recwr, 64) < 0)
 	{
-	  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+	  if (!_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+	    return false;
 	  _bfd_vms_output_begin (recwr, EOBJ__C_EGSD);
 	  _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, 0);
 	}
@@ -3687,7 +3691,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_egsd (bfd *abfd)
 	 bytes for a possible ABS section.  */
       if (_bfd_vms_output_check (recwr, 80 + 16) < 0)
 	{
-	  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+	  if (!_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+	    return false;
 	  _bfd_vms_output_begin (recwr, EOBJ__C_EGSD);
 	  _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, 0);
 	}
@@ -3766,9 +3771,7 @@ _bfd_vms_write_egsd (bfd *abfd)
     }
 
   _bfd_vms_output_alignment (recwr, 8);
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
-
-  return true;
+  return _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
 }
 
 /* Write object header for bfd abfd.  Return FALSE on error.  */
@@ -3784,8 +3787,9 @@ _bfd_vms_write_ehdr (bfd *abfd)
 
   _bfd_vms_output_alignment (recwr, 2);
 
-  _bfd_vms_write_emh (abfd);
-  _bfd_vms_write_lmn (abfd, "GNU AS");
+  if (!_bfd_vms_write_emh (abfd)
+      || !_bfd_vms_write_lmn (abfd, "GNU AS"))
+    return false;
 
   /* SRC.  */
   _bfd_vms_output_begin (recwr, EOBJ__C_EMH);
@@ -3806,13 +3810,15 @@ _bfd_vms_write_ehdr (bfd *abfd)
   if (symnum == abfd->symcount)
     _bfd_vms_output_dump (recwr, (unsigned char *) STRING_COMMA_LEN ("noname"));
 
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+  if (!_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+    return false;
 
   /* TTL.  */
   _bfd_vms_output_begin (recwr, EOBJ__C_EMH);
   _bfd_vms_output_short (recwr, EMH__C_TTL);
   _bfd_vms_output_dump (recwr, (unsigned char *) STRING_COMMA_LEN ("TTL"));
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+  if (!_bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr))
+    return false;
 
   /* CPR.  */
   _bfd_vms_output_begin (recwr, EOBJ__C_EMH);
@@ -3820,9 +3826,7 @@ _bfd_vms_write_ehdr (bfd *abfd)
   _bfd_vms_output_dump (recwr,
 			(unsigned char *)"GNU BFD ported by Klaus Kämpf 1994-1996",
 			 39);
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
-
-  return true;
+  return _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
 }
 
 /* Part 4.6, relocations.  */
@@ -3834,12 +3838,12 @@ _bfd_vms_write_ehdr (bfd *abfd)
 
 /* Close the etir/etbt record.  */
 
-static void
+static bool
 end_etir_record (bfd * abfd)
 {
   struct vms_rec_wr *recwr = &PRIV (recwr);
 
-  _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
+  return _bfd_vms_output_end (abfd, recwr);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -3885,7 +3889,7 @@ start_etir_or_etbt_record (bfd *abfd, asection *section, bfd_vma offset)
 /* Output a STO_IMM command for SSIZE bytes of data from CPR at virtual
    address VADDR in section specified by SEC_INDEX and NAME.  */
 
-static void
+static bool
 sto_imm (bfd *abfd, asection *section,
 	 bfd_size_type ssize, unsigned char *cptr, bfd_vma vaddr)
 {
@@ -3905,7 +3909,8 @@ sto_imm (bfd *abfd, asection *section,
       if (_bfd_vms_output_check (recwr, size) < 0)
 	{
 	  /* Doesn't fit, split !  */
-	  end_etir_record (abfd);
+	  if (!end_etir_record (abfd))
+	    return false;
 
 	  start_etir_or_etbt_record (abfd, section, vaddr);
 
@@ -3928,17 +3933,20 @@ sto_imm (bfd *abfd, asection *section,
       cptr += size;
       ssize -= size;
     }
+  return true;
 }
 
-static void
+static bool
 etir_output_check (bfd *abfd, asection *section, bfd_vma vaddr, int checklen)
 {
   if (_bfd_vms_output_check (&PRIV (recwr), checklen) < 0)
     {
       /* Not enough room in this record.  Close it and open a new one.  */
-      end_etir_record (abfd);
+      if (!end_etir_record (abfd))
+	return false;
       start_etir_or_etbt_record (abfd, section, vaddr);
     }
+  return true;
 }
 
 /* Return whether RELOC must be deferred till the end.  */
@@ -4056,7 +4064,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    _bfd_error_handler (_("size error in section %pA"),
 					section);
 		  size = addr - curr_addr;
-		  sto_imm (abfd, section, size, curr_data, curr_addr);
+		  if (!sto_imm (abfd, section, size, curr_data, curr_addr))
+		    return false;
 		  curr_data += size;
 		  curr_addr += size;
 		}
@@ -4073,7 +4082,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    {
 		      bfd_vma addend = rptr->addend;
 		      slen = strlen ((char *) sym->name);
-		      etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, slen);
+		      if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, slen))
+			return false;
 		      if (addend)
 			{
 			  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STA_GBL);
@@ -4097,7 +4107,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    }
 		  else if (bfd_is_abs_section (sym->section))
 		    {
-		      etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 16);
+		      if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 16))
+			return false;
 		      _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STA_LW);
 		      _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, (unsigned long) sym->value);
 		      _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (recwr);
@@ -4106,7 +4117,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    }
 		  else
 		    {
-		      etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 32);
+		      if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 32))
+			return false;
 		      _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STA_PQ);
 		      _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr,
 					    (unsigned long) sec->target_index);
@@ -4126,7 +4138,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    {
 		      bfd_vma addend = rptr->addend;
 		      slen = strlen ((char *) sym->name);
-		      etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, slen);
+		      if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, slen))
+			return false;
 		      if (addend)
 			{
 			  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STA_GBL);
@@ -4149,7 +4162,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    }
 		  else if (bfd_is_abs_section (sym->section))
 		    {
-		      etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 16);
+		      if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 16))
+			return false;
 		      _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STA_QW);
 		      _bfd_vms_output_quad (recwr, sym->value);
 		      _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (recwr);
@@ -4158,7 +4172,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		    }
 		  else
 		    {
-		      etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 32);
+		      if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 32))
+			return false;
 		      _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STA_PQ);
 		      _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr,
 					    (unsigned long) sec->target_index);
@@ -4170,12 +4185,14 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		  break;
 
 		case ALPHA_R_HINT:
-		  sto_imm (abfd, section, size, curr_data, curr_addr);
+		  if (!sto_imm (abfd, section, size, curr_data, curr_addr))
+		    return false;
 		  break;
 
 		case ALPHA_R_LINKAGE:
 		  size = 16;
-		  etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 64);
+		  if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, 64))
+		    return false;
 		  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STC_LP_PSB);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_long
 		    (recwr, (unsigned long) rptr->addend);
@@ -4188,7 +4205,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 
 		case ALPHA_R_CODEADDR:
 		  slen = strlen ((char *) sym->name);
-		  etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, slen);
+		  if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr, slen))
+		    return false;
 		  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STO_CA);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_counted (recwr, sym->name);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (recwr);
@@ -4197,8 +4215,9 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		case ALPHA_R_NOP:
 		  udata
 		    = (struct evax_private_udata_struct *) rptr->sym_ptr_ptr;
-		  etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr,
-				     32 + 1 + strlen (udata->origname));
+		  if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr,
+					  32 + 1 + strlen (udata->origname)))
+		    return false;
 		  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STC_NOP_GBL);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, (unsigned long) udata->lkindex);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_long
@@ -4219,8 +4238,9 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		case ALPHA_R_LDA:
 		  udata
 		    = (struct evax_private_udata_struct *) rptr->sym_ptr_ptr;
-		  etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr,
-				     32 + 1 + strlen (udata->origname));
+		  if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr,
+					  32 + 1 + strlen (udata->origname)))
+		    return false;
 		  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STC_LDA_GBL);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_long
 		    (recwr, (unsigned long) udata->lkindex + 1);
@@ -4238,8 +4258,9 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		case ALPHA_R_BOH:
 		  udata
 		    = (struct evax_private_udata_struct *) rptr->sym_ptr_ptr;
-		  etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr,
-				       32 + 1 + strlen (udata->origname));
+		  if (!etir_output_check (abfd, section, curr_addr,
+					  32 + 1 + strlen (udata->origname)))
+		    return false;
 		  _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (recwr, ETIR__C_STC_BOH_GBL);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_long (recwr, (unsigned long) udata->lkindex);
 		  _bfd_vms_output_long
@@ -4272,7 +4293,8 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 		  return false;
 		}
 	      size = section->size - curr_addr;
-	      sto_imm (abfd, section, size, curr_data, curr_addr);
+	      if (!sto_imm (abfd, section, size, curr_data, curr_addr))
+		return false;
 	      curr_data += size;
 	      curr_addr += size;
 
@@ -4285,9 +4307,11 @@ _bfd_vms_write_etir (bfd * abfd, int objtype ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
 	}
 
       else /* (section->flags & SEC_RELOC) */
-	sto_imm (abfd, section, section->size, section->contents, 0);
+	if (!sto_imm (abfd, section, section->size, section->contents, 0))
+	  return false;
 
-      end_etir_record (abfd);
+      if (!end_etir_record (abfd))
+	return false;
     }
 
   _bfd_vms_output_alignment (recwr, 2);
diff --git a/bfd/vms-misc.c b/bfd/vms-misc.c
index 833e5a3deb7..75cac636ea3 100644
--- a/bfd/vms-misc.c
+++ b/bfd/vms-misc.c
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (struct vms_rec_wr *recwr)
 
 /* Ends current record (and write it).  */
 
-void
+bool
 _bfd_vms_output_end (bfd *abfd, struct vms_rec_wr *recwr)
 {
   vms_debug2 ((6, "_bfd_vms_output_end (size %u)\n", recwr->size));
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ _bfd_vms_output_end (bfd *abfd, struct vms_rec_wr *recwr)
   BFD_ASSERT (recwr->subrec_offset == 0);
 
   if (recwr->size == 0)
-    return;
+    return true;
 
   _bfd_vms_output_align (recwr, recwr->size);
 
@@ -289,16 +289,20 @@ _bfd_vms_output_end (bfd *abfd, struct vms_rec_wr *recwr)
      converted to variable length (VAR) format.  VAR format has a length
      word first which must be explicitly output in UDF format.  */
   /* So, first the length word.  */
-  bfd_write (recwr->buf + 2, 2, abfd);
+  if (bfd_write (recwr->buf + 2, 2, abfd) != 2)
+    return false;
 
   /* Align.  */
   if (recwr->size & 1)
     recwr->buf[recwr->size++] = 0;
 
   /* Then the record.  */
-  bfd_write (recwr->buf, (size_t) recwr->size, abfd);
+  if (bfd_write (recwr->buf, (size_t) recwr->size, abfd)
+      != (size_t) recwr->size)
+    return false;
 
   recwr->size = 0;
+  return true;
 }
 
 /* Check remaining buffer size.  Return what's left.  */
diff --git a/bfd/vms.h b/bfd/vms.h
index 47999006ff5..90efe7d7902 100644
--- a/bfd/vms.h
+++ b/bfd/vms.h
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ extern void   _bfd_vms_output_begin (struct vms_rec_wr *, int);
 extern void   _bfd_vms_output_alignment (struct vms_rec_wr *, int);
 extern void   _bfd_vms_output_begin_subrec (struct vms_rec_wr *, int);
 extern void   _bfd_vms_output_end_subrec (struct vms_rec_wr *);
-extern void   _bfd_vms_output_end (bfd *, struct vms_rec_wr *);
+extern bool   _bfd_vms_output_end (bfd *, struct vms_rec_wr *);
 extern int    _bfd_vms_output_check (struct vms_rec_wr *, int);
 extern void   _bfd_vms_output_byte (struct vms_rec_wr *, unsigned);
 extern void   _bfd_vms_output_short (struct vms_rec_wr *, unsigned);
diff --git a/bfd/wasm-module.c b/bfd/wasm-module.c
index d887f44ac6c..d97da1519a7 100644
--- a/bfd/wasm-module.c
+++ b/bfd/wasm-module.c
@@ -548,8 +548,8 @@ wasm_compute_custom_section_file_position (bfd *abfd,
 	}
       while (nl);
 
-      bfd_seek (abfd, fs->pos, SEEK_SET);
-      if (! wasm_write_uleb128 (abfd, 0)
+      if (bfd_seek (abfd, fs->pos, SEEK_SET) != 0
+	  || ! wasm_write_uleb128 (abfd, 0)
 	  || ! wasm_write_uleb128 (abfd, payload_len)
 	  || ! wasm_write_uleb128 (abfd, name_len)
 	  || bfd_write (name, name_len, abfd) != name_len)
@@ -586,9 +586,8 @@ wasm_compute_section_file_positions (bfd *abfd)
   struct compute_section_arg fs;
   unsigned int i;
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, (bfd_vma) 0, SEEK_SET);
-
-  if (bfd_write (magic, sizeof (magic), abfd) != (sizeof magic)
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, (bfd_vma) 0, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_write (magic, sizeof (magic), abfd) != (sizeof magic)
       || bfd_write (vers, sizeof (vers), abfd) != sizeof (vers))
     return false;
 
diff --git a/bfd/xsym.c b/bfd/xsym.c
index 828f752817c..275b1b08369 100644
--- a/bfd/xsym.c
+++ b/bfd/xsym.c
@@ -2207,8 +2207,8 @@ bfd_sym_scan (bfd *abfd, bfd_sym_version version, bfd_sym_data_struct *mdata)
   mdata->sbfd = abfd;
   mdata->version = version;
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
-  if (bfd_sym_read_header (abfd, &mdata->header, mdata->version) != 0)
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_sym_read_header (abfd, &mdata->header, mdata->version) != 0)
     return -1;
 
   mdata->name_table = bfd_sym_read_name_table (abfd, &mdata->header);
@@ -2236,8 +2236,8 @@ bfd_sym_object_p (bfd *abfd)
   bfd_sym_version version = -1;
   bfd_sym_data_struct *mdata;
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
-  if (bfd_sym_read_version (abfd, &version) != 0)
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_sym_read_version (abfd, &version) != 0)
     goto wrong;
 
   mdata = (bfd_sym_data_struct *) bfd_alloc (abfd, sizeof (*mdata));
diff --git a/binutils/ar.c b/binutils/ar.c
index 97bf34bb8cf..fe2d971962a 100644
--- a/binutils/ar.c
+++ b/binutils/ar.c
@@ -1078,7 +1078,8 @@ print_contents (bfd *abfd)
   if (verbose)
     printf ("\n<%s>\n\n", bfd_get_filename (abfd));
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0)
+    bfd_fatal (bfd_get_filename (abfd));
 
   size = buf.st_size;
   while (ncopied < size)
@@ -1176,7 +1177,8 @@ extract_file (bfd *abfd)
     fatal (_("internal stat error on %s"), bfd_get_filename (abfd));
   size = buf.st_size;
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET);
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, 0, SEEK_SET) != 0)
+    bfd_fatal (bfd_get_filename (abfd));
 
   output_file = NULL;
   if (size == 0)
diff --git a/ld/pdb.c b/ld/pdb.c
index 96fc3f13e27..fa3e4a11d27 100644
--- a/ld/pdb.c
+++ b/ld/pdb.c
@@ -4185,10 +4185,9 @@ create_section_contrib_substream (bfd *abfd, void **data, uint32_t *size)
 
   for (unsigned int i = 0; i < abfd->section_count; i++)
     {
-      bfd_seek (abfd, offset, SEEK_SET);
-
-      if (bfd_read (sect_flags + (i * sizeof (uint32_t)), sizeof (uint32_t),
-		     abfd) != sizeof (uint32_t))
+      if (bfd_seek (abfd, offset, SEEK_SET) != 0
+	  || bfd_read (sect_flags + (i * sizeof (uint32_t)), sizeof (uint32_t),
+		       abfd) != sizeof (uint32_t))
 	{
 	  free (*data);
 	  free (sect_flags);
@@ -4993,7 +4992,8 @@ create_section_header_stream (bfd *pdb, bfd *abfd, uint16_t *num)
 
   scn_base = bfd_coff_filhsz (abfd) + bfd_coff_aoutsz (abfd);
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, scn_base, SEEK_SET);
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, scn_base, SEEK_SET) != 0)
+    return false;
 
   len = section_count * sizeof (struct external_scnhdr);
   buf = xmalloc (len);
diff --git a/ld/pe-dll.c b/ld/pe-dll.c
index 65bb50bc5b9..df08a57e644 100644
--- a/ld/pe-dll.c
+++ b/ld/pe-dll.c
@@ -3419,22 +3419,30 @@ pe_process_import_defs (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *linfo)
    handled, FALSE if not.  */
 
 static unsigned int
-pe_get16 (bfd *abfd, int where)
+pe_get16 (bfd *abfd, int where, bool *fail)
 {
   unsigned char b[2];
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, where, SEEK_SET);
-  bfd_read (b, 2, abfd);
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, where, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_read (b, 2, abfd) != 2)
+    {
+      *fail = true;
+      return 0;
+    }
   return b[0] + (b[1] << 8);
 }
 
 static unsigned int
-pe_get32 (bfd *abfd, int where)
+pe_get32 (bfd *abfd, int where, bool *fail)
 {
   unsigned char b[4];
 
-  bfd_seek (abfd, where, SEEK_SET);
-  bfd_read (b, 4, abfd);
+  if (bfd_seek (abfd, where, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_read (b, 4, abfd) != 4)
+    {
+      *fail = true;
+      return 0;
+    }
   return b[0] + (b[1] << 8) + (b[2] << 16) + ((unsigned) b[3] << 24);
 }
 
@@ -3481,38 +3489,49 @@ pe_implied_import_dll (const char *filename)
   /* PEI dlls seem to be bfd_objects.  */
   if (!bfd_check_format (dll, bfd_object))
     {
+    notdll:
       einfo (_("%X%P: %s: this doesn't appear to be a DLL\n"), filename);
       return false;
     }
 
   /* Get pe_header, optional header and numbers of directory entries.  */
-  pe_header_offset = pe_get32 (dll, 0x3c);
+  bool fail = false;
+  pe_header_offset = pe_get32 (dll, 0x3c, &fail);
+  if (fail)
+    goto notdll;
   opthdr_ofs = pe_header_offset + 4 + 20;
 #ifdef pe_use_plus
-  num_entries = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 92 + 4 * 4); /*  & NumberOfRvaAndSizes.  */
+  /* NumberOfRvaAndSizes.  */
+  num_entries = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 92 + 4 * 4, &fail);
 #else
-  num_entries = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 92);
+  num_entries = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 92, &fail);
 #endif
+  if (fail)
+    goto notdll;
 
   /* No import or export directory entry.  */
   if (num_entries < 1)
     return false;
 
 #ifdef pe_use_plus
-  export_rva  = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 96 + 4 * 4);
-  export_size = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 100 + 4 * 4);
+  export_rva  = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 96 + 4 * 4, &fail);
+  export_size = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 100 + 4 * 4, &fail);
 #else
-  export_rva = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 96);
-  export_size = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 100);
+  export_rva = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 96, &fail);
+  export_size = pe_get32 (dll, opthdr_ofs + 100, &fail);
 #endif
+  if (fail)
+    goto notdll;
 
   /* No export table - nothing to export.  */
   if (export_size == 0)
     return false;
 
-  nsections = pe_get16 (dll, pe_header_offset + 4 + 2);
+  nsections = pe_get16 (dll, pe_header_offset + 4 + 2, &fail);
   secptr = (pe_header_offset + 4 + 20 +
-	    pe_get16 (dll, pe_header_offset + 4 + 16));
+	    pe_get16 (dll, pe_header_offset + 4 + 16, &fail));
+  if (fail)
+    goto notdll;
   expptr = 0;
 
   /* Get the rva and size of the export section.  */
@@ -3520,12 +3539,14 @@ pe_implied_import_dll (const char *filename)
     {
       char sname[8];
       bfd_vma secptr1 = secptr + 40 * i;
-      bfd_vma vaddr = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 12);
-      bfd_vma vsize = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 16);
-      bfd_vma fptr = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 20);
+      bfd_vma vaddr = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 12, &fail);
+      bfd_vma vsize = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 16, &fail);
+      bfd_vma fptr = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 20, &fail);
 
-      bfd_seek (dll, secptr1, SEEK_SET);
-      bfd_read (sname, 8, dll);
+      if (fail
+	  || bfd_seek (dll, secptr1, SEEK_SET) != 0
+	  || bfd_read (sname, 8, dll) != 8)
+	goto notdll;
 
       if (vaddr <= export_rva && vaddr + vsize > export_rva)
 	{
@@ -3541,14 +3562,16 @@ pe_implied_import_dll (const char *filename)
   for (i = 0; i < nsections; i++)
     {
       bfd_vma secptr1 = secptr + 40 * i;
-      bfd_vma vsize = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 8);
-      bfd_vma vaddr = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 12);
-      bfd_vma flags = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 36);
+      bfd_vma vsize = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 8, &fail);
+      bfd_vma vaddr = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 12, &fail);
+      bfd_vma flags = pe_get32 (dll, secptr1 + 36, &fail);
       char sec_name[9];
 
       sec_name[8] = '\0';
-      bfd_seek (dll, secptr1 + 0, SEEK_SET);
-      bfd_read (sec_name, 8, dll);
+      if (fail
+	  || bfd_seek (dll, secptr1 + 0, SEEK_SET) != 0
+	  || bfd_read (sec_name, 8, dll) != 8)
+	goto notdll;
 
       if (strcmp(sec_name,".data") == 0)
 	{
@@ -3583,8 +3606,9 @@ pe_implied_import_dll (const char *filename)
     }
 
   expdata = xmalloc (export_size);
-  bfd_seek (dll, expptr, SEEK_SET);
-  bfd_read (expdata, export_size, dll);
+  if (bfd_seek (dll, expptr, SEEK_SET) != 0
+      || bfd_read (expdata, export_size, dll) != export_size)
+    goto notdll;
   erva = (char *) expdata - export_rva;
 
   if (pe_def_file == 0)
