CVE-2026-63388

Libevent: Heap out-of-bounds write in bufferevent_socket_set_conn_address_ reachable via AF_UNIX accept

Published Aug 20, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.4 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Libevent is an event notification library. Prior to 2.1.13 and 2.2.2-alpha, libevent has a heap out-of-bounds write in bufferevent_sock.c when bufferevent_socket_set_conn_address_ copies a kernel-supplied AF_UNIX peer address into bufferevent_private.conn_address. Release builds compiled with NDEBUG disable the EVUTIL_ASSERT length guard, and the evhttp accept path can pass a 110-byte sockaddr from accept() into the 28-byte field. An unauthenticated local peer able to connect to an AF_UNIX listener can overwrite the adjacent dns_request pointer and heap data, causing memory corruption with confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. This issue is fixed in versions 2.1.13 and 2.2.2-alpha.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

The vulnerability is a heap out‑of‑bounds write triggered when the function bufferevent_socket_set_conn_address_ copies a kernel‑supplied AF_UNIX peer address into an overly small buffer. Prior to libevent 2.1.13 and 2.2.2‑alpha, the library did not guard against this overflow in release builds compiled with NDEBUG. An unauthenticated local peer that can connect to an AF_UNIX listener can supply a 110‑byte sockaddr, causing a 28‑byte field to be overwritten. This memory corruption can overwrite adjacent heap objects such as dns_request pointers, leading to confidentiality, integrity, and availability disruption, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems

All releases of libevent before 2.1.13 and 2.2.2‑alpha are affected. Vulnerable versions include any 2.x branches prior to 2.1.13 and 2.2.2‑alpha; the fix is incorporated in the 2.1.13 stable release and the 2.2.2‑alpha development build.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.4 indicates high severity. EPSS is not available, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV, suggesting no widely reported exploitation. The likely attack vector is local and unauthenticated; an attacker must have access to the same host and be able to open the AF_UNIX listening socket. If such access is possible, the defect can be exploited to overwrite heap memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or crash.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade libevent to version 2.1.13 or later, or to the 2.2.2‑alpha build or newer.
  • Restart all applications that link to libevent to ensure they load the updated library.
  • Restrict local users’ permissions to the directory containing the AF_UNIX socket to prevent unauthorized connections.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 21, 2026 at 01:51 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4786-1 libevent security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6493-1 libevent security update
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Libevent Project
Libevent Project libevent
Vendors & Products Libevent Project
Libevent Project libevent
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Libevent is an event notification library. Prior to 2.1.13 and 2.2.2-alpha, libevent has a heap out-of-bounds write in bufferevent_sock.c when bufferevent_socket_set_conn_address_ copies a kernel-supplied AF_UNIX peer address into bufferevent_private.conn_address. Release builds compiled with NDEBUG disable the EVUTIL_ASSERT length guard, and the evhttp accept path can pass a 110-byte sockaddr from accept() into the 28-byte field. An unauthenticated local peer able to connect to an AF_UNIX listener can overwrite the adjacent dns_request pointer and heap data, causing memory corruption with confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. This issue is fixed in versions 2.1.13 and 2.2.2-alpha.
Title Libevent: Heap out-of-bounds write in bufferevent_socket_set_conn_address_ reachable via AF_UNIX accept
Weaknesses CWE-617
CWE-787
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Aug 21, 2026, 9:46 PM
Reserved
Jul 16, 2026, 5:39 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Aug 20, 2026, 6:16 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 10:10 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Aug 20, 2026, 5:44 PM