CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-61714NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

fluidsynth: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-61714 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in fluidsynth, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected fluidsynth versions: >= 2.2.4, < 2.5.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.14% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of fluidsynth you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
FluidSynthfluidsynth>= 2.2.4, < 2.5.6Not 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
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
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

FluidSynth is a software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications. From 2.2.4 until 2.5.6, configuring synth.midi-channels above 16 allows the MIDI player to index _fluid_player_t::channel_isplaying outside its fixed-size heap allocation while tracking active channels. The resulting out-of-bounds reads and writes invoke undefined behavior and may compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability. No crafted MIDI file is required because the unsafe condition is created by the channel-count configuration itself. Keeping synth.midi-channels at its default value of 16 avoids the vulnerable path. This issue is fixed in version 2.5.6.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • 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.

More Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-122)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in fluidsynth

All fluidsynth vulnerabilities

Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities

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