Text::CSV_XS: Use After Free
CVE-2026-7111 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Text::CSV_XS from Hmbrand, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 1.62 as the first without the flaw, so updating Text::CSV_XS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.16% 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 Text::CSV_XS to 1.62 or a later version.
- Update Text to 1.62 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMBRAND | Text::CSV_XS | before 1.62 | 1.62 |
| Hmbrand | Text | before 1.62 | 1.62 |
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
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Text::CSV_XS versions before 1.62 for Perl have a use-after-free when registered callbacks extend the Perl argument stack, which may enable type confusion or memory corruption. The Parse, print, getline, and getline_all methods invoke registered callbacks (for example after_parse, before_print, or on_error) and cache the Perl argument stack pointer across the call. If a callback extends the argument stack enough to trigger a reallocation, the return value is written through the stale pointer into the freed buffer, and the caller reads the original $self argument as the return value instead. Calling code that expects parsed data from getline_all receives the Text::CSV_XS object in its place, leading to logic errors or crashes. Text::CSV_XS objects used without any registered callbacks are not affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
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
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/29/17Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
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- 8.8 High severity
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