Out-of-bounds read in libaec second extension decoder
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- 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
libaec through 1.1.7 contains an out-of-bounds read in the m_se_decode() function in src/decode.c. A signed bounds check can be bypassed with an overlong fundamental sequence (CWE-196), so the read goes past the intended memory. A local attacker who gets a user to process a crafted CCSDS 121.0/SZIP stream can crash the decoder or leak adjacent memory into decoded samples.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
Description from the CNA
libaec through 1.1.7 contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in m_se_decode() in src/decode.c that allows attackers to bypass a signed bounds check via an overlong fundamental sequence. Attackers can supply a crafted CCSDS 121.0/SZIP stream with 2^31 or more zero bits to crash the decoder or leak adjacent memory into decoded samples.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsches Klimarechenzentrum | libaec | up to 1.1.7 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- libaec VendorDeutsches Klimarechenzentrum Affected up to 1.1.7 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for libaec. Red Hat has no fix available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Timeline
- 2026-11-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-120457
- 2026-11-02 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-11-02 Alias added: GHSA-6vjr-59w2-48mg
- 2026-11-02 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-02 CVSS score added · Red Hat
References
Sources
- CVE-2026-120457 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-120457 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-6vjr-59w2-48mg · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-120457 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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