CryptX: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-41565 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in CryptX from MIK, 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 0.088_001 as the first without the flaw, so updating CryptX to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.47% 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 CryptX to 0.088_001 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
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
CryptX versions before 0.088_001 for Perl have a stack buffer overflow in four AEAD decrypt_verify helpers. The gcm_decrypt_verify, ccm_decrypt_verify, chacha20poly1305_decrypt_verify and eax_decrypt_verify XS routines copied the caller-supplied authentication tag into a fixed 144-byte stack buffer (MAXBLOCKSIZE) without checking the supplied length. A longer tag overwrites the stack past the buffer. Version 0.088 added the clamp to gcm_decrypt_verify, and 0.088_001 added it to the other three. Any caller of an affected helper that forwards an attacker-controlled tag longer than the buffer can trigger the overflow.
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: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in CryptX
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.