CVE-2026-11850: Krb5: krb5: integer underflow in berval2tl_data() leads to heap out-of-bounds read
An integer underflow vulnerability was found in MIT krb5 in the berval2tldata() function in plugins/kdb/ldap/libkdbldap/ldapprincipal2.c. The function performs an unsigned subtraction (bvlen - 2) without a prior bounds check. When bvlen is 0 or 1, the subtraction wraps to a large value which is then truncated to uint16t, yielding 0xFFFE (65534) or 0xFFFF (65535). The subsequent malloc succeeds and memcpy reads up to 65534 bytes from a 0-1 byte buffer, resulting in a heap out-of-bounds read.
The attack vector involves a malicious or compromised LDAP KDB backend returning a krbExtraData attribute with bvlen < 2, triggering the underflow when the KDC or kadmind reads principal data.
Upstream fix: https://github.com/krb5/krb5/commit/2a5fd83 MIT ticket: https://krbdev.mit.edu/rt/Ticket/Display.html?id=9206
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
debian/krb5to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 1.22.1-3
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-11850?
CVE-2026-11850 has a medium severity rating of 5.
What impact does CVE-2026-11850 have?
CVE-2026-11850 could lead to a heap out-of-bounds read due to an integer underflow.
How do I fix CVE-2026-11850?
To fix CVE-2026-11850, it is recommended to update to the latest version of MIT krb5 where the vulnerability is addressed.
What software is affected by CVE-2026-11850?
CVE-2026-11850 affects the MIT krb5 software, particularly the berval2tl_data() function.
What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2026-11850 classified as?
CVE-2026-11850 is classified as an integer underflow vulnerability.