CVE-2026-9516
HIGHDescription
Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.41 for Perl allow denial of service via UTF-8 BOM prefixed input when a decode filter callback throws. To skip a leading 3-byte UTF-8 BOM, decode_json() advances the input scalar's string pointer past the mark with SvPV_set() and restores it only on the normal return path. When decoding aborts through a Perl exception, for example a filter_json_object callback that croaks, the restore is skipped and the scalar is left with its string pointer offset into its own buffer and a shortened length. When that scalar is later freed, the allocator receives an invalid pointer and the interpreter aborts. A single BOM prefixed document decoded with a throwing filter callback crashes any caller.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Low risk: more likely to be exploited than 29% of all known CVEs.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-755 vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2017-5638 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2020-7247 | Critical | 9.8 | 99% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2023-36933 | High | 7.5 | 72% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2018-0934 | High | 7.5 | 67% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2019-14287 | High | 8.8 | 64% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2019-12815 | Critical | 9.8 | 58% | - | Fix |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2026-9516?
Upgrade libcpanel-json-xs-perl on debian unstable to 4.41-1 or later.
Is CVE-2026-9516 being actively exploited?
Not that we know of. CVE-2026-9516 is not in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Its EPSS score of 0.36% is the estimated probability that it will be exploited in the next 30 days. That is higher than 29% of all scored CVEs.
How severe is CVE-2026-9516?
CVE-2026-9516 has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.5, rated high. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2026-9516 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for libcpanel-json-xs-perl (Debian). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-07-22.