Out-of-bounds read in libimobiledevice AFC file handling
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · None
- Fix status
- Deferred Red Hat: fix deferred
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-125 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
libimobiledevice up to 1.4.0 is affected. The afc_file_open function in src/afc.c performs an out-of-bounds read when the bytes argument is manipulated (CWE-125). A remote attacker with low privileges can trigger it with passive user interaction. A public exploit has been disclosed and is linked in the references.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
Description from the CNA
A security vulnerability has been detected in libimobiledevice up to 1.4.0. Impacted is the function afc_file_open of the file src/afc.c of the component AFC File Handler. The manipulation of the argument bytes leads to out-of-bounds read. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | libimobiledevice | 1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4.0 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- libimobiledevice Vendor— Affected 1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE names CNA · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:libimobiledevice:libimobiledevice:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | — | — | libimobiledevice |
- cpe:2.3:a:libimobiledevice:libimobiledevice:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions — — ·libimobiledevice
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for libimobiledevice. Red Hat rates this Low and lists Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 as affected with no fix planned, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 and 8 as affected with no fix available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Timeline
- 2026-10-26 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-116261
- 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-qq89-fhwv-p2xp
- 2026-11-02 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-11-02 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
- 2026-11-03 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-03 CVSS score added · Red Hat
References
Sources
- CVE-2026-116261 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-116261 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-qq89-fhwv-p2xp · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-116261 · 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