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CVE-2026-103636

HIGH 7.5

Published 2026-10-10 · Last modified 2026-10-16

Out-of-bounds read in the VarOpt union deserialization of Apache DataSketches C++ (repo: datasketches-cpp). var_opt_union::deserialize() read the 32-byte preamble of a non-empty union after checking that only 8 bytes were available, so a truncated serialized union could cause a read of up to 24 bytes past the end of the input. For such inputs, the size remaining for the embedded sketch was also computed by an unsigned subtraction that could wrap around, so the embedded sketch's own size checks no longer limited reads to the input. The bytes read can become part of the deserialized union's state. This can cause a crash (denial of service) and could expose adjacent memory contents. This issue affects Apache DataSketches C++: from 2.0.0-incubating before 5.3.0. Only applications that deserialize VarOpt unions from untrusted sources are affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.3.0, which fixes this issue.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.5), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.5%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 43rd percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

7.5CVSS 3.1 · HIGH

  • ConfidentialityNone
  • IntegrityNone
  • AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

  • ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
  • ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
  • ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

Test against your own equipment

curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-103636/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).

Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-103636/poc.json

Affected

Vendors Apache Software Foundation

Products Apache Datasketches

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-125: Out-of-bounds read
  • CWE-191: Integer underflow (wrap or wraparound)

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 7.5 v3.1 · ADP Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
  • HIGH 7.5 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

References

Patches & mitigations

Advisories

Technical & other

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS