swift-nio-ssl: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-43820 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in swift-nio-ssl from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.7 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.37.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating swift-nio-ssl to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.11% 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 swift-nio-ssl to 2.37.2 or a later version.
- Update Swiftnio SSL to 2.37.2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | swift-nio-ssl | before 2.37.2 | 2.37.2 |
| Apple | Swiftnio SSL | 2.18.0 up to, but not including, 2.37.2 | 2.37.2 |
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
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
NIOSSLCertificate._subjectAlternativeNames provides access to the raw bytes for a cert's SANs. NIOSSL provides access to a buffer assumed to be backed by an ASN1_STRING, but not all SANs are backed by ASN1_STRING, so accessing the buffer for such a type can lead to out-of-bounds memory access. This vulnerability is addressed in swift-nio-ssl version 2.37.2.
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: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
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