Heap out-of-bounds read in CFITSIO HCOMPRESS tile decoder
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · High
- Fix status
- Deferred Red Hat: fix deferred
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
CFITSIO through 4.7.0 from HEASARC contains a heap-based out-of-bounds read in the HCOMPRESS tile decoder (CWE-125). A crafted FITS file that declares oversized tile geometry lets attackers read past the compressed tile buffer. A local attacker needs a user to open the crafted file in an application that calls fits_read_pix, which can crash the application or disclose limited heap memory. A public exploit is linked in the references.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Description from the CNA
CFITSIO through 4.7.0 contains a heap-based out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the HCOMPRESS tile decoder that allows attackers to read past the compressed tile buffer via input_nnybble in fits_hdecompress.c. Attackers can supply a crafted FITS file with ZCMPTYPE HCOMPRESS_1 declaring oversized tile geometry to crash applications calling fits_read_pix or disclose limited heap memory.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for CFITSIO. Red Hat's plan for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3 is none available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Timeline
- 2026-10-16 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-111125
- 2026-10-16 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-10-16 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-16 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-10-20 CVSS score added · NVD
- 2026-10-21 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-21 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
References
More HEASARC vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-79486 Out-of-bounds write in CFITSIO ffgcls2 allows code execution CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.5
Sources
- CVE-2026-111125 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-111125 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- CVE-2026-111125 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences