CVE-2026-43958
Description
A flaw was found in rrdcached, a component of rrdtool. A local attacker with access to a rrdcached socket can exploit a stack-based buffer overflow by sending an oversized CREATE request. This vulnerability can lead to a denial of service by crashing the daemon or potentially allow for arbitrary code execution, impacting the integrity and confidentiality of data.
Statement
This stack buffer overflow in rrdcached allows a local attacker with socket access to cause a denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code. The default configuration exposes rrdcached via a local UNIX socket, requiring local access and specific permissions for exploitation. Deployments exposing TCP listeners without proper access controls face a higher risk. The Red Hat Product Security team has rated this vulnerability as having a Moderate severity, this is due to the fact of the attack vector is local and the attacker needs permission to reach out to the UNIX socket in order to exploit this flaw.
Mitigation
Restrict access to the `rrdcached` UNIX socket using filesystem permissions and group ownership to prevent untrusted local users from connecting. Avoid exposing `rrdcached` on TCP listeners unless strictly necessary, and ensure any such listeners are protected by network access controls. Additionally, run the `rrdcached` daemon as an unprivileged user and group using the `-U` and `-G` options to minimize impact in case of compromise. If `rrdcached` is restarted or reloaded, these configurations will be reapplied.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.8 | N/A | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the program into an infinite loop.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of a program's implicit security policy.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control,Other
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism; Other
When the consequence is arbitrary code execution, this can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank AISLE Research for reporting this issue.
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