BoKS Manager: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-79896 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in BoKS Manager from Fortra, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected BoKS Manager versions: 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.0.23; 9.0.0.0 through 9.0.0.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% 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 BoKS Manager you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on fortra.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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortra | BoKS Manager | 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.0.23; 9.0.0.0 through 9.0.0.6 | Not 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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- 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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
Fortra BoKS Manager contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the custom TLS ClientHello parser used by boks_portmux. A remote unauthenticated attacker can submit a malformed ClientHello and terminate boks_portmux. Although the daemon is normally restarted automatically, repeated requests can sustain the service interruption.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
References
Other vulnerabilities in BoKS Manager
- 7.9 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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