FreeBSD: Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency
CVE-2026-58096 is a high-severity improper handling of length parameter inconsistency vulnerability in FreeBSD, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions p3, p13, p9 as the first without the flaw, so updating FreeBSD to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.6% 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 FreeBSD to p3 or p13 or p9, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on security.freebsd.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD | FreeBSD | 15.1-RELEASE up to, but not including, p3; 15.0-RELEASE up to, but not including, p13; 14.4-RELEASE up to, but not including, p9 | p3, p13, p9 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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
- 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
LcpDecodeConfig() did not validate the length of received endpoint discriminator options against the minimum required by RFC 1717. Undersized options would trigger an out-of-bounds write. A malicious PPP peer can exploit CVE-2026-58095 and CVE-2026-58096 to crash ppp(8) or potentially execute arbitrary code as root.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency
The product parses a formatted message or structure, but it does not handle or incorrectly handles a length field that is inconsistent with the actual length of the associated data.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When processing structured incoming data containing a size field followed by raw data, ensure that you identify and resolve any inconsistencies between the size field and the actual size of the data.
- Do not let the user control the size of the buffer.
- Validate that the length of the user-supplied data is consistent with the buffer size.
More Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency vulnerabilities (CWE-130)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in FreeBSD
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
Recent Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
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