wazuh: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-45798 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in wazuh, 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. Affected wazuh versions: >= 4.5.0, < 4.14.6; >= 5.0.0-beta1, < 5.0.0-beta2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.92% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of wazuh 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.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wazuh | wazuh | >= 4.5.0, < 4.14.6; >= 5.0.0-beta1, < 5.0.0-beta2 | 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
- 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 CNA (github.com).
Official description
Wazuh is a free and open source platform used for threat prevention, detection, and response. From 4.5.0 until 4.14.6 and 5.0.0-beta2, compare_wazuh_versions() in src/shared/version_op.c copies the attacker-controlled enrollment V: field into a 10-byte stack buffer with strncpy() but does not explicitly terminate the buffer. The function is reachable before authentication through wazuh-authd on TCP port 1515 when anonymous TLS enrollment is enabled. A version string of at least nine non-null bytes can cause strchr() and strtok() to read beyond ver2 and can make strtok() write a null byte into adjacent stack memory, allowing a remote denial of service. This issue is fixed in versions 4.14.6 and 5.0.0-beta2.
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: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in wazuh
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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