DBI: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-14740 is a critical-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in DBI from Hmbrand, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 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 1.650 as the first without the flaw, so updating DBI to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update DBI to 1.650 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
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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
DBI versions before 1.650 for Perl read one byte out-of-bounds in preparse when deleting an initial SQL comment. The preparse method normalises SQL and removes comments. When the SQL starts with a comment line, the deletion of that line during normalisation led to an out-of-bounds read by one byte. The result is a fault on memory-hardened builds and nondeterministic newline retention on normal builds.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/perl5-dbi/dbi/commit/fc16f9e8b3dd5c65caf1867781ab2bfe2fadcc01.patch
- metacpan.org/release/HMBRAND/DBI-1.650/changesRelease Notes
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/07/17Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in DBI
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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