CVE-2026-55200: CVE-2026-55200: libssh2 1.11.1, fixed in commit 97acf3d, contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in …
libssh2 · libssh2 · NVD published 2026-06-18 · posted 2026-06-23 · last modified 2026-10-23
What it is
libssh2 1.11.1, fixed in commit 97acf3d, contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in ssh2_transport_read() that fails to enforce upper bounds on packet_length field. Remote attackers can send crafted SSH packets with excessively large packet_length values to corrupt heap memory and achieve remote code execution.
| Weakness | CWE-680 |
|---|---|
| CVSS vector | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X (source: [email protected]) |
| ATT&CK tactics | Initial Access → Execution |
Exploitation evidence
First exploit evidence seen: 2026-06-23 (earliest date across the sources below).
Exploited in the wild
No source on this site lists in-the-wild exploitation yet (CISA KEV, VulnCheck KEV).
Public exploit code
GitHub proof-of-concept repositories
3 public repositories from 3 accounts, first seen 2026-06-23. Most starred: 0xBlackash/CVE-2026-55200 (10 stars), view repository.
Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.
Sources: nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.
How to fix it
Fixed versions
NVD does not list a fixed version for this CVE. Use the vendor advisory below.
Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.
Vendor advisories and patches
- https://github.com/libssh2/libssh2/commit/97acf3dfda80c91c3a8c9f2372546301d4a1a7a8 (Patch)
- https://github.com/libssh2/libssh2/pull/2052 (Patch)
MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain
- M1048 Application Isolation and Sandboxing (for T1190, T1203) : Application isolation will limit what other processes and system features the exploited target can access.
- M1037 Filter Network Traffic (for T1190) : Restrict outbound network traffic from public-facing servers to prevent unauthorized connections from initiating communications with attacker-controlled infrastructure. While this may not prevent the initial exploitation, it limits the attacker's ability to verify and control the compromised server post-exploit, reduci
- M1030 Network Segmentation (for T1190) : Segment externally facing servers and services from the rest of the network with a DMZ or on separate hosting infrastructure.
- M1016 Vulnerability Scanning (for T1190) : Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure.
- M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1190) : Use least privilege for service accounts will limit what permissions the exploited process gets on the rest of the system.
- M1050 Exploit Protection (for T1190, T1203) : Web Application Firewalls may be used to limit exposure of applications to prevent exploit traffic from reaching the application.
- M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network (for T1190) : Ensure that all publicly exposed services are actually intended to be so, and restrict access to any that should only be available internally.
- M1051 Update Software (for T1190, T1203) : Update software regularly by employing patch management for externally exposed applications.
Detection Generic guidance
- Initial Access: Alert on unusual requests to the affected service (odd paths, oversized payloads, exploit strings) in WAF, reverse-proxy and application logs.
- Execution: Watch for the service process spawning shells or script interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell, sh, bash, python) via EDR process-tree rules.
Response checklist Generic guidance
- Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
- Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
- Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.
Sources
- NVD: CVE-2026-55200
- CVE.org record
- FIRST EPSS (2026-10-24)
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/libssh2-out-of-bounds-write-via-unchecked-packet-length-in-transport-c (Third Party Advisory)
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260623211210/https://github.com/bikini/exploitarium/tree/main/libssh2-cve-2026-55200-poc (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)