CVE-2026-45252: Heap overflow in FUSE_LISTXATTR
When a fusefs file system implements extended attributes, the kernel may send a FUSE_LISTXATTR message to the userspace daemon to retrieve the list of extended attributes for a given file. The FUSE protocol requires the daemon to return a packed list of NUL-terminated strings. The fusefs kernel module calls strlen() on this daemon-supplied buffer without first verifying that the entire list is NUL-terminated. If a malicious daemon sends a non-NUL-terminated list, the fusefs kernel module may read beyond the end of one heap-allocated buffer and potentially write beyond the end of a second buffer. A malicious daemon could disclose up to 253 bytes of kernel heap memory, or it could inject up to 250 attacker-controlled bytes into unallocated kernel heap space.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-45252?
CVE-2026-45252 has a medium severity rating of 5.5.
How do I fix CVE-2026-45252?
To mitigate CVE-2026-45252, ensure you update your FreeBSD or Linux kernel to the latest patched version.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-45252?
CVE-2026-45252 affects FreeBSD and the Linux kernel when implementing fusefs for file systems with extended attributes.
What is the impact of CVE-2026-45252?
CVE-2026-45252 can lead to a heap overflow in the userspace daemon handling FUSE_LISTXATTR messages.
Is remote exploitation possible with CVE-2026-45252?
Yes, CVE-2026-45252 may allow remote attackers to exploit heap overflow vulnerabilities in specific configurations.