Data-flow denial via unchecked TCP option length
Published Oct 14, 2026 · Updated Oct 14, 2026
TCP-option parsing in Cesanta Mongoose before 7.23 allows remote attackers to block application data via malformed TCP options. The handle_opt() function in src/net_builtin.c trusts an option length exceeding the remaining bytes, reading beyond the option area into the connection's MSS value. With MG_ENABLE_TCPIP=1, inbound or outbound TCP connections transmit truncated or zero-length application payloads while remaining open.
Summary
What happened
TCP-option parsing in Cesanta Mongoose before 7.23 allows remote attackers to block application data via malformed TCP options. The handle_opt() function in src/net_builtin.c trusts an option length exceeding the remaining bytes, reading beyond the option area into the connection's MSS value. With MG_ENABLE_TCPIP=1, inbound or outbound TCP connections transmit truncated or zero-length application payloads while remaining open.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-73261
- Published
- Oct 14, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 14, 2026
- Vendor
- Cesanta
- Product
- Mongoose
- Classifications
- CWE-125, CWE-20, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 14, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=< 7.23
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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