rsyslog: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-61548 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in rsyslog, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected rsyslog versions: >= 7.5.4, < 8.2606.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.59% 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 rsyslog 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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. From 7.5.4 until 8.2606.0, the optional mmpstrucdata plugin's parseSD_PARAM function in plugins/mmpstrucdata/mmpstrucdata.c stores RFC5424 parameter values in a fixed pVal[32 * 1024] stack buffer and calls parsePARAM_VALUE without supplying the destination size. A remote unauthenticated attacker whose crafted RFC5424 message reaches an action using mmpstrucdata can provide a structured-data parameter larger than that buffer when MaxMessageSize permits it, causing an attacker-controlled stack overwrite. Deployments that do not install and use the plugin, or whose effective message-size limit remains below the required threshold, are not affected by this issue. The demonstrated impact is a crash and interruption of log collection; code execution is not demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 8.2606.0.
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: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in rsyslog
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
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