CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-41445NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

kissfft: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-41445 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in kissfft from Mborgerding, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 8a8e66e33d692bad1376fe7904d87d767730537f as the first without the flaw, so updating kissfft to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update kissfft to 8a8e66e33d692bad1376fe7904d87d767730537f or a later version.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  3. 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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Mborgerdingkissfftbefore 8a8e66e33d692bad1376fe7904d87d767730537f8a8e66e33d692bad1376fe7904d87d767730537f

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
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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.08.7HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighCNA (vulncheck.com)

Official description

KissFFT before commit 8a8e66e contains an integer overflow vulnerability in the kiss_fftndr_alloc() function in kiss_fftndr.c where the allocation size calculation dimOther*(dimReal+2)*sizeof(kiss_fft_scalar) overflows signed 32-bit integer arithmetic before being widened to size_t, causing malloc() to allocate an undersized buffer. Attackers can trigger heap buffer overflow by providing crafted dimensions that cause the multiplication to exceed INT_MAX, allowing writes beyond the allocated buffer region when kiss_fftndr() processes the data.

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.

More Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-122)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities

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