CVE-2026-31971

Published: Mar 18, 2026 Last Modified: Mar 18, 2026
ExploitDB:
Other exploit source:
Google Dorks:
HIGH 7,1
Source: [email protected]
Attack Vector: network
Attack Complexity: low
Privileges Required: none
User Interaction: passive
Confidentiality: N/A
Integrity: N/A
Availability: N/A

Description

AI Translation Available

HTSlib is a library for reading and writing bioinformatics file formats. CRAM is a compressed format which stores DNA sequence alignment data using a variety of encodings and compression methods. When reading data encoded using the `BYTE_ARRAY_LEN` method, the `cram_byte_array_len_decode()` failed to validate that the amount of data being unpacked matched the size of the output buffer where it was to be stored. Depending on the data series being read, this could result either in a heap or a stack overflow with attacker-controlled bytes. Depending on the data stream this could result either in a heap buffer overflow or a stack overflow. If a user opens a file crafted to exploit this issue it could lead to the program crashing, overwriting of data structures on the heap or stack in ways not expected by the program, or changing the control flow of 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.

121

Stack-based Buffer Overflow

Draft
Abstraction: Variant Structure: Simple
Common Consequences
Security Scopes Affected:
Availability Integrity Confidentiality Access Control Other
Potential Impacts:
Modify Memory Dos: Crash, Exit, Or Restart Dos: Resource Consumption (Cpu) Dos: Resource Consumption (Memory) Execute Unauthorized Code Or Commands Bypass Protection Mechanism Other
Applicable Platforms
Languages: C, C++, Memory-Unsafe
Likelihood of Exploit: High
View CWE Details
122

Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Draft
Abstraction: Variant Structure: Simple
Common Consequences
Security Scopes Affected:
Availability Integrity Confidentiality Access Control Other
Potential Impacts:
Dos: Crash, Exit, Or Restart Dos: Resource Consumption (Cpu) Dos: Resource Consumption (Memory) Execute Unauthorized Code Or Commands Bypass Protection Mechanism Modify Memory Other
Applicable Platforms
Languages: C, C++, Memory-Unsafe
Likelihood of Exploit: High
View CWE Details
787

Out-of-bounds Write

Draft
Abstraction: Base Structure: Simple
Common Consequences
Security Scopes Affected:
Integrity Availability Other
Potential Impacts:
Modify Memory Execute Unauthorized Code Or Commands Dos: Crash, Exit, Or Restart Unexpected State
Applicable Platforms
Languages: Assembly, C, C++, Memory-Unsafe
Technologies: ICS/OT
Likelihood of Exploit: High
View CWE Details
1284

Improper Validation of Specified Quantity in Input

Incomplete
Abstraction: Base Structure: Simple
Common Consequences
Security Scopes Affected:
Other Integrity Availability
Potential Impacts:
Varies By Context Dos: Resource Consumption (Cpu) Modify Memory Read Memory
Applicable Platforms
All platforms may be affected
View CWE Details
https://github.com/samtools/htslib/commit/01cd003b46fa2ebea…
https://github.com/samtools/htslib/commit/01cd003b46fa2ebea4d9be5475b11217eb4c1…
https://github.com/samtools/htslib/security/advisories/GHSA…
https://github.com/samtools/htslib/security/advisories/GHSA-jvx4-4wq7-6fmh