CVE-2026-16554

Name
CVE-2026-16554
Description
cJSON library is vulnerable to an integer overflow in the print_string_ptr() function in cJSON.c on 32-bit platforms. The escape_characters counter, a 32-bit size_t, can wrap around when processing strings containing approximately 858,993,460 or more control characters, causing the output buffer to be allocated based on an underestimated length. When cJSON_PrintBuffered() is used with a pre-allocated buffer, the subsequent write loop overflows the heap allocation. An attacker supplying a crafted JSON string to an application using cJSON on a 32-bit platform can cause a heap buffer overflow, potentially leading to remote code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service. Because project creator contact attempts were unsuccessful, the vulnerability has only been confirmed in version 1.7.19 but may also affect other versions.
NVD Severity
unknown
Other trackers
Mailing lists
Exploits
Forges
GitHub (code, issues), Aports (code, issues)

References

Type URI
cvd@cert.pl https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/07/CVE-2026-16554
cvd@cert.pl https://github.com/DaveGamble/cJSON
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/30/26
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/31/4

Match rules

CPE URI Source package Min version Max version
cpe:2.3:a:davegamble:cjson:1.7.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cjson == None == 1.7.19

Vulnerable and fixed packages

Source package Branch Version Maintainer Status
cjson edge-main 1.7.19-r1 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable
cjson edge-main 1.7.19-r0 None possibly vulnerable
cjson 3.24-main 1.7.19-r1 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable
cjson 3.23-main 1.7.19-r1 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable
cjson 3.22-main 1.7.19-r0 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable
cjson 3.21-main 1.7.19-r0 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable
cjson 3.20-main 1.7.19-r0 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable
cjson 3.19-main 1.7.19-r0 Jakub Jirutka <jakub@jirutka.cz> possibly vulnerable