[knz42]

This code, if I'm reading it right, uses the symbol table and ELF section headers.

As explained in OP, the sum of sizes advertised in the symtable and ELF section headers does not add up to the final binary size. The shotizam tool is thus blind to that difference.

[nappy-doo]

This sounds like a bug to me, not nefarious intent.

[knz42]

What in my reply suggests I assumed nefarious intent?

Brad is a good person, it's the code we're talking about here.