CVE-2026-18739

Popt-devel: popt-static: off-by-one in poptstuffargs

Published Aug 4, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 2.5 Low EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A flaw was found in popt, a command-line option parsing library. An off-by-one error in the poptStuffArgs function, when repeatedly called by a host application or through deep alias nesting, can lead to corruption of internal program data. This corruption could potentially enable a local attacker to execute arbitrary code if the host application then unsafely processes the altered data.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

An off‑by‑one error in the poptStuffArgs function of the popt command‑line option parsing library can corrupt internal program data. If a host application then processes the altered data unsafely, a local attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code. The weakness is an out‑of‑bounds write (CWE‑787).

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects any system that uses the popt library, particularly host applications that repeatedly call poptStuffArgs or employ deep alias nesting. No specific vendor or product version information is provided in the CVE data.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 2.5 indicates low severity. The EPSS score is not available and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. Exploitation requires local access and depends on the host application processing the corrupted data unsafely. Overall risk is low to moderate, but local code execution is possible if the conditions are met.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.


OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the popt library to a version that includes the fix for the poptStuffArgs off‑by‑one error.
  • Limit local access to the vulnerable application by ensuring it runs under a least‑privilege user account.
  • Analyze the application’s use of popt to prevent repeated calls or deep alias nesting, and sanitize argument input before processing.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 4, 2026 at 09:04 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat openshift Ai
Redhat rhel Els
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:5
cpe:/a:redhat:openshift_ai
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:6
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7
Vendors & Products Redhat openshift Ai
Redhat rhel Els
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Popt-devel
Popt-devel popt-static
Vendors & Products Popt-devel
Popt-devel popt-static
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat openshift
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4
Vendors & Products Redhat openshift
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4
Vendors & Products Redhat openshift
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title popt-devel: popt-static: Off-by-one in poptStuffArgs Popt-devel: popt-static: off-by-one in poptstuffargs
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Redhat openshift
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:hummingbird:1
cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Redhat openshift
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in popt, a command-line option parsing library. An off-by-one error in the poptStuffArgs function, when repeatedly called by a host application or through deep alias nesting, can lead to corruption of internal program data. This corruption could potentially enable a local attacker to execute arbitrary code if the host application then unsafely processes the altered data.
Title popt-devel: popt-static: Off-by-one in poptStuffArgs
Weaknesses CWE-787
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 2.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L'}

threat_severity

Low

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 6, 2026, 6:08 PM
Reserved
Aug 3, 2026, 8:48 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Aug 4, 2026, 6:16 AM
Modified
Nov 6, 2026, 7:17 PM
Severity
Low
Public date
Aug 3, 2026, 6:46 PM