CVE-2026-66035: libssh2 Heap Buffer Overflow via ETM Cipher Negotiation

Published Jul 24, 2026
·
Updated

libssh2 through 1.11.1, fixed in commit 42e33d8, contains a pre-authentication heap buffer overflow vulnerability that allows a malicious SSH server to corrupt heap metadata in any connecting client by sending a packet with a packetlength smaller than the cipher's block size during Encrypt-then-MAC cipher negotiation. In the fullpacket() function in src/transport.c, the ETM path allocates a buffer of packetlength bytes but copies blocksize minus one bytes via memcpy, causing an overflow that on 32-bit glibc writes attacker-controlled bytes into an adjacent chunk's SIZE field, enabling tcache bin confusion, overlapping live objects, and function pointer overwrite during the session handshake before authentication.

Affected Software

2 affected components
libssh2 libssh2<=1.11.1
libssh2 libssh2>1.11.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade libssh2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.11.1Patch 42e33d8

Event History

Jul 24, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:45 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:45 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:17 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-66035?

CVE-2026-66035 has a high severity rating of 7.5.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-66035?

To fix CVE-2026-66035, update libssh2 to version 1.11.1 or later.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-66035?

CVE-2026-66035 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability.

4

What can exploit CVE-2026-66035?

CVE-2026-66035 can be exploited by a malicious SSH server sending a packet with a packet_length smaller than the cipher's block size.

5

What impact does CVE-2026-66035 have on affected systems?

CVE-2026-66035 can allow a malicious actor to corrupt heap metadata in any connecting client.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203