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TI-2026-85165 Aliases CVE-2026-121968GHSA-353f-5249-rrrg

Out-of-bounds read in netrek-client-cow lets servers crash clients

Priority LOW 31CWE-129Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Passive
Attack complexity
Low
Attack requirements
None
Impact type
Denial of service
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
None · None · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-129 and the CVSS impact.

Summary

netrek-client-cow through 3.3.3 contains an out-of-bounds read in handleSMessage() in short.c, caused by an unchecked m_recpt index (CWE-129). A malicious server, or an attacker intercepting the plaintext TCP connection, can send SP_S_MESSAGE packets with m_recpt of 36 or more, reading past players[] and shipnos and crashing the client. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 7.1 (HIGH), with availability impact only.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04

Description from the CNA

Netrek-client-cow through 3.3.3 contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in short.c handleSMessage() that allows malicious servers to crash clients via an unchecked m_recpt index. Attackers controlling a Netrek server or intercepting the plaintext TCP connection can send SP_S_MESSAGE packets with m_recpt of 36 or more, reading past players[] and shipnos to deny service.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00325 25th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
quozlnetrek-client-cowup to 3.3.3—No fix listedCNA
  • netrek-client-cow Vendorquozl Affected up to 3.3.3 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

Remediation

The sources list no fixed version for netrek-client-cow.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04

Timeline

  1. 2026-11-04 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-121968
  2. 2026-11-04 Alias added: GHSA-353f-5249-rrrg
  3. 2026-11-05 CISA SSVC decision points changed
  4. 2026-11-05 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW

References

Patch 1

Other 2

  • TI-2026-85166 netrek-client-cow Stack Buffer Overflow via handleSMessage CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences