osslsigncode: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-39853 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in osslsigncode from Mtrojnar, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected osslsigncode versions: < 2.12. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% 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
- Check which version of osslsigncode you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mtrojnar | osslsigncode | < 2.12 | Not stated |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
osslsigncode is a tool that implements Authenticode signing and timestamping. Prior to 2.12, A stack buffer overflow vulnerability exists in osslsigncode in several signature verification paths. During verification of a PKCS#7 signature, the code copies the digest value from a parsed SpcIndirectDataContent structure into a fixed-size stack buffer (mdbuf[EVP_MAX_MD_SIZE], 64 bytes) without validating that the source length fits within the destination buffer. This pattern is present in the verification handlers for PE, MSI, CAB, and script files. An attacker can craft a malicious signed file with an oversized digest field in SpcIndirectDataContent. When a user verifies such a file with osslsigncode verify, the unbounded memcpy can overflow the stack buffer and corrupt adjacent stack state. This vulnerability is fixed in 2.12.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- 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.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 8.0 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
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