Memory exhaustion via delayed finalizer-based key zeroization
Published Aug 8, 2026 · Updated Aug 8, 2026
Resource exhaustion in Bouncy Castle FIPS Java API before 1.0.2.7, 2.0.2, and 2.1.3 allows remote attackers to exhaust JVM heap memory. Its AES and DESede engines, SP 800-90A DRBGs, SymmetricSecretKey, PBKD, and scrypt classes override Object.finalize for zeroization, allowing the single finalizer queue to grow without bound when allocations outpace disposal. On Java 9 and later, sustained allocation retains key material and consumes heap until the JVM raises OutOfMemoryError, terminating the dependent service.
Summary
What happened
Resource exhaustion in Bouncy Castle FIPS Java API before 1.0.2.7, 2.0.2, and 2.1.3 allows remote attackers to exhaust JVM heap memory. Its AES and DESede engines, SP 800-90A DRBGs, SymmetricSecretKey, PBKD, and scrypt classes override Object.finalize for zeroization, allowing the single finalizer queue to grow without bound when allocations outpace disposal. On Java 9 and later, sustained allocation retains key material and consumes heap until the JVM raises OutOfMemoryError, terminating the dependent service.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-13505
- Published
- Aug 8, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 8, 2026
- Vendor
- Legion of the Bouncy Castle Inc.
- Product
- Bouncy Castle FIPS Java API
- Classifications
- CWE-772, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 8, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=1.0.0 <1.0.2.7
- Affected versionversion=2.0.0 <2.0.2
- Affected versionversion=2.1.0 <2.1.3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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