Application crash via help-width integer underflow
Published Aug 5, 2026 · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Integer underflow in popt 1.13 and later allows local users to crash applications by printing wide option tables in narrow terminals. The singleOptionHelp routine subtracts option widths from the terminal width in a size_t calculation, wrapping the available width when the table is wider. Exploitation requires local access, application help output, a sufficiently narrow terminal, and wide option entries; the bounded consequence is application failure or a crash.
Summary
What happened
Integer underflow in popt 1.13 and later allows local users to crash applications by printing wide option tables in narrow terminals. The singleOptionHelp routine subtracts option widths from the terminal width in a size_t calculation, wrapping the available width when the table is wider. Exploitation requires local access, application help output, a sufficiently narrow terminal, and wide option entries; the bounded consequence is application failure or a crash.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-18839
- Published
- Aug 5, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 5, 2026
- Vendor
- 389 Directory Server
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Classifications
- CWE-191, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 5, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 5, 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?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
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
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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