oj: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-54592 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in oj from Ohler55, 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 oj versions: < 3.17.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% 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 oj 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
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
Oj (Optimized JSON) is a JSON parser and Object marshaller packaged as a Ruby gem. In versions prior to 3.17.3, Oj::Doc#each_child, when invoked recursively over a deeply nested JSON document, overflows a fixed-size stack buffer and aborts the process, leading to DoS. In a two-step chain in ext/oj/fast.c, doc_each_child increments doc->where past the where_path[MAX_STACK = 100] array with no bounds check and never restores it (the doc->where-- is missing), so calling each_child recursively from inside the yield block drives doc->where beyond the array. On the next entry the function copies the path into the 800-byte stack-local buffer save_path[MAX_STACK] using wlen = doc->where - doc->where_path, so when the previous recursive call left doc->where past where_path[100] the wlen exceeds MAX_STACK and the memcpy overflows save_path on the C stack; because the Oj::Doc parser imposes no JSON nesting-depth limit (relying on a C-stack pressure check), deeply nested attacker input reaches this path. This issue has been fixed in version 3.17.3.
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: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
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