netopeer2: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
CVE-2026-63201 is a high-severity use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability in netopeer2 from Cesnet, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.1 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. Affected netopeer2 versions: < 2.8.21. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.43% 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 netopeer2 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.
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.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Netopeer2 is a server for implementing network configuration management based on the `NETCONF` Protocol. In affected versions, a low-privileged authenticated `NETCONF` user can remotely crash `netopeer2-server` by sending a `get RPC` with an invalid `subtree filter` whose text contains format specifiers. In `src/netconf.c`, `np2srv_rpc_get_cb()` sends the invalid value through `ERR()` to `np2log_printf()`, where `vsnprintf()` first formats the message safely. In `src/log.c`, that already formatted buffer is subsequently passed to `np2log()` as the format string itself, causing `vsyslog()` to interpret attacker-controlled percent sequences and read invalid pointer arguments. The reported denial of service was confirmed on version 2.8.7 using `NETCONF`-over-SSH and AddressSanitizer; reliable remote code execution was not confirmed. `The advisory identifies 2.8.8 as patched`; repository comparisons verify the fix in public release 2.8.21. The affected/fixed boundary remains unresolved because no public 2.8.8 tag was located, which does not establish the status of an untagged 2.8.8 build.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
- Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings.
- Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.
More Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities (CWE-134)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
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