Verifier crash via unbounded HSS level allocation
Published Aug 3, 2026 · Updated Aug 3, 2026
Memory exhaustion in Bouncy Castle Java before 1.85 allows remote attackers to crash applications that verify HSS signatures. HSSPublicKeyParameters.getInstance reads an unbounded level count, and HSSSignature.getInstance allocates an array sized from that attacker-controlled value. Java LTS before 2.73.12 and FIPS 2.0.0 through 2.0.1 and 2.1.0 through 2.1.2 are also affected; exploitation requires attacker-supplied HSS keys and signatures and can force a roughly 17 GB allocation.
Summary
What happened
Memory exhaustion in Bouncy Castle Java before 1.85 allows remote attackers to crash applications that verify HSS signatures. HSSPublicKeyParameters.getInstance reads an unbounded level count, and HSSSignature.getInstance allocates an array sized from that attacker-controlled value. Java LTS before 2.73.12 and FIPS 2.0.0 through 2.0.1 and 2.1.0 through 2.1.2 are also affected; exploitation requires attacker-supplied HSS keys and signatures and can force a roughly 17 GB allocation.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-58060
- Published
- Aug 3, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 3, 2026
- Vendor
- Legion of the Bouncy Castle Inc.
- Product
- Bouncy Castle Java
- Classifications
- CWE-789, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 3, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 3, 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=1.65 <1.85
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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