Heap out-of-bounds write in HTSlib via truncated .gzi index count
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · Low · Low
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
HTSlib through 1.24 contains a numeric truncation error (CWE-197) in bgzf_index_load_hfile() that causes heap out-of-bounds writes and reads. A local attacker can corrupt heap memory or crash tools such as samtools and bcftools by getting a user to open a crafted .gzi index file.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
Description from the CNA
HTSlib through 1.24 contains a heap out-of-bounds write and read vulnerability in bgzf_index_load_hfile() in bgzf.c that allows attackers to corrupt heap memory by supplying a crafted .gzi index entry count. A count of 0xFFFFFFFF truncates noffs to zero, causing writes past a malloc(0) buffer and an offs[-1] read in bgzf_useek(), resulting in heap corruption or crashes in tools like samtools and bcftools.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- 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 HTSlib.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-26 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-116742
- 2026-10-27 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-r296-8jjg-794r
- 2026-11-03 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-03 CVSS score added · Red Hat
References
More samtools vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-05532 Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2026-24512 HTSlib CRAM decoder vulnerable to buffer overflow CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-24507 HTSlib CRAM reader has heap buffer overflow due to improper validation of input CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-24506 HTSlib CRAM reader has heap buffer overflow due to improper validation of input CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-24516 samtools mpileup has use-after-free leading to an invalid read CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
- TI-2026-24511 HTSlib CRAM reader has out-of-bounds read due to improper validation of input CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
Sources
- CVE-2026-116742 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-116742 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-r296-8jjg-794r · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-116742 · 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