Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2026-17510 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12 from Jonasbn, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 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 1.98 as the first without the flaw, so updating Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.61% 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 Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12 to 1.98 or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JONASBN | Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12 | before 1.98 | 1.98 |
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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- 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:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12 versions before 1.98 for Perl allow a NULL pointer dereference in print_attribute via a zero length BMPSTRING attribute. print_attribute() sizes the destination buffer for a BMPSTRING attribute from its declared byte length with `Renew(*attribute, length, char)`. A zero length attribute makes that a zero size reallocation, which Perl implements as a free returning NULL, so the buffer pointer becomes NULL, the following `strncpy` copies nothing, and the caller dereferences NULL in the `strlen()` it passes to `newSVpvn()`. A zero length BMPSTRING is even length, so the ASN.1 decoder accepts it and the value reaches this code. The UTF8STRING, OCTET STRING and BIT STRING arms size on `length + 1` or `length * 4 + 1` and are unaffected. Any caller that passes an untrusted PKCS#12 file to info_as_hash() can crash the process. info() prints attribute values directly without sizing a buffer and is unaffected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Crypt::OpenSSL::PKCS12
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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