C-Kermit: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-129126 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in C-Kermit from OpenKermit, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 11.1.515 as the first without the flaw, so updating C-Kermit to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update C-Kermit to 11.1.515 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenKermit | C-Kermit | before 11.1.515 | 11.1.515 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.2 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
C-Kermit before 11.1.515 contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in putsrv() in ckcfns.c that allows malicious peers to write past the srvcmd buffer by sending crafted packets. Attackers can use Kermit repeat-count compression in server command, GET, or file-header packets to write attacker-chosen bytes beyond the heap buffer on servers or receiving instances.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in C-Kermit
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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