Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.41 for Perl allow denial of service via UTF-8 BOM prefixed input when a decode filter callback throws
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2026-9516 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | CPANSec |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2026-06-03 01:16:23 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-06-05 17:35:52 UTC |
| Description | Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.41 for Perl allow denial of service via UTF-8 BOM prefixed input when a decode filter callback throws. To skip a leading 3-byte UTF-8 BOM, decode_json() advances the input scalar's string pointer past the mark with SvPV_set() and restores it only on the normal return path. When decoding aborts through a Perl exception, for example a filter_json_object callback that croaks, the restore is skipped and the scalar is left with its string pointer offset into its own buffer and a shortened length. When that scalar is later freed, the allocator receives an invalid pointer and the interpreter aborts. A single BOM prefixed document decoded with a throwing filter callback crashes any caller. |
Risk And Classification
Primary CVSS: v3.1 7.5 HIGH from ADP
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS: 0.000490000 probability, percentile 0.157590000 (date 2026-06-10)
Problem Types: CWE-755 | CWE-763 | CWE-763 CWE-763 Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference | CWE-755 CWE-755 Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions
| Version | Source | Type | Score | Severity | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | ADP | DECLARED | 7.5 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
| 3.1 | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | Secondary | 7.5 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
CVSS v3.1 Breakdown
Attack Vector
NetworkAttack Complexity
LowPrivileges Required
NoneUser Interaction
NoneScope
UnchangedConfidentiality
NoneIntegrity
NoneAvailability
HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD Known Affected Configurations (CPE 2.3)
Vendor Declared Affected Products
| Source | Vendor | Product | Version | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | RURBAN | CpanelJSONXS | affected 4.41 custom | Not specified |
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| metacpan.org/release/RURBAN/Cpanel-JSON-XS-4.41/changes | 9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e | metacpan.org | Release Notes |
| github.com/rurban/Cpanel-JSON-XS/commit/dfe1b41a36caba51dc12a2917fe50285... | 9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e | github.com | Patch |
| www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/06/03/5 | af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 | www.openwall.com | Mailing List, Third Party Advisory, Patch |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
No vendor comments have been submitted for this CVE.
Additional Advisory Data
| Source | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | 2026-05-18T00:00:00.000Z | Issue reported. |
| CNA | 2026-05-27T00:00:00.000Z | Version 4.41 released with fix. |
| CNA | 2026-05-28T00:00:00.000Z | Fix verified. |
Solutions
CNA: Upgrade to Cpanel::JSON::XS 4.41 or later.
There are currently no legacy QID mappings associated with this CVE.