CVSS Vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Lifecycle Timeline
4Description
HTSlib is a library for reading and writing bioinformatics file formats. CRAM is a compressed format which stores DNA sequence alignment data. As one method of removing redundant data, CRAM uses reference-based compression so that instead of storing the full sequence for each alignment record it stores a location in an external reference sequence along with a list of differences to the reference at that location as a sequence of "features". When decoding these features, an out-by-one error in a test for CRAM features that appear beyond the extent of the CRAM record sequence could result in an invalid write of one attacker-controlled byte beyond the end of a heap buffer. Exploiting this bug causes a heap buffer overflow. If a user opens a file crafted to exploit this issue, it could lead to the program crashing, or overwriting of data and heap structures in ways not expected by the program. It may be possible to use this to obtain arbitrary code execution. Versions 1.23.1, 1.22.2 and 1.21.1 include fixes for this issue. There is no workaround for this issue.
Analysis
HTSlib contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in its CRAM decoder caused by an out-by-one error when validating feature boundaries. When a user opens a maliciously crafted CRAM file, an attacker can write one controlled byte beyond the end of a heap buffer, potentially causing application crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution. …
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Remediation
Within 7 days: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches promptly. If patching is delayed, consider network segmentation to limit exposure.
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Priority Score
Vendor Status
Debian
| Release | Status | Fixed Version | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|
| bullseye | vulnerable | 1.11-4 | - |
| bookworm | vulnerable | 1.16+ds-3 | - |
| trixie | vulnerable | 1.21+ds-1 | - |
| forky, sid | vulnerable | 1.22.1+ds2-1 | - |
| (unstable) | fixed | (unfixed) | - |
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External POC / Exploit Code
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EUVD-2026-12930