Memory exhaustion via unchecked forwarding channel opens
Published Oct 7, 2026 · Updated Oct 7, 2026
Improper authorization in wolfSSL wolfSSH 1.4.8 through 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to exhaust memory via forwarded-tcpip channel opens. DoChannelOpen() admits these opens without the forwarding policy callback, while clients fail to match them against registered forwards, allowing unchecked per-channel buffer allocation. Exposure requires a forwarding-enabled build and a malicious SSH peer; the resulting memory pressure can interrupt the endpoint.
Summary
What happened
Improper authorization in wolfSSL wolfSSH 1.4.8 through 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to exhaust memory via forwarded-tcpip channel opens. DoChannelOpen() admits these opens without the forwarding policy callback, while clients fail to match them against registered forwards, allowing unchecked per-channel buffer allocation. Exposure requires a forwarding-enabled build and a malicious SSH peer; the resulting memory pressure can interrupt the endpoint.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-81535
- Published
- Oct 7, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 7, 2026
- Vendor
- wolfSSL
- Product
- wolfSSH
- Classifications
- T1499.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 7, 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=1.4.8 <=1.5.0 changes=[{"at":"1.6.0","status":"unaffected"}]
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
No CVSS assessment is available in this record.
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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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Your stack
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