CVE-2024-14031 in Sereal::Encoder
Summary
by MITRE • 03/31/2026
Sereal::Encoder versions from 4.000 through 4.009_002 for Perl embeds a vulnerable version of the Zstandard library.
Sereal::Encoder embeds a version of the Zstandard (zstd) library that is vulnerable to CVE-2019-11922. This is a race condition in the one-pass compression functions of Zstandard prior to version 1.3.8 could allow an attacker to write bytes out of bounds if an output buffer smaller than the recommended size was used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-14031 affects Sereal::Encoder Perl module versions 4.000 through 4.009_002, which incorporate a vulnerable version of the Zstandard compression library. This flaw stems from CVE-2019-11922, a critical race condition present in Zstandard versions prior to 1.3.8 within the one-pass compression functions. The vulnerability manifests when the embedded zstd library processes compression operations with output buffers that are smaller than the recommended buffer size, creating conditions where memory corruption can occur through out-of-bounds writes. The Sereal::Encoder module serves as a high-performance serialization framework for Perl applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems relying on efficient data serialization and transmission. The embedded Zstandard library version contains a race condition that can be exploited when concurrent compression operations occur with insufficient buffer allocation, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of buffer boundaries during compression operations within the Zstandard library's one-pass compression algorithms. When Sereal::Encoder processes data through the embedded zstd library, it passes compression requests that may trigger the race condition in vulnerable library versions. The flaw specifically occurs in scenarios where the output buffer provided to compression functions is smaller than what the library expects, creating a window where memory writes can extend beyond allocated boundaries. This buffer overread condition allows attackers to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to stack corruption, heap corruption, or other memory safety violations that could be exploited for privilege escalation or remote code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the actual mechanism involves heap memory manipulation through improper buffer management in compression contexts. The race condition aspect of this vulnerability means that timing-based exploits may be required to reliably trigger the memory corruption conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across systems utilizing Sereal::Encoder with affected Perl module versions, particularly in high-throughput environments where compression operations are frequent. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through crafted input data that forces compression operations with insufficient buffer sizes, potentially causing application crashes or more severe memory corruption. The risk is elevated in web applications, database systems, or any environment where Sereal::Encoder handles untrusted input data, as these scenarios provide the most opportunities for exploitation. The vulnerability affects not just direct application crashes but also potential privilege escalation scenarios where memory corruption could be leveraged to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. Organizations using Perl applications that rely on Sereal::Encoder for data serialization, including those in financial services, healthcare, or government sectors, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The exploitability factor is moderate to high given that the vulnerability can be triggered through normal compression operations when input data is carefully crafted to force buffer boundary violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-14031 require immediate action to upgrade Sereal::Encoder to versions that either remove or patch the embedded vulnerable Zstandard library, or to implement application-level safeguards that prevent compression operations with insufficient buffer sizes. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to Sereal::Encoder version 4.009_003 or later, which contains the patched zstd library that resolves CVE-2019-11922. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation and sanitization measures to prevent potentially malicious data from triggering compression operations that could lead to buffer overflows. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through memory corruption, while also relating to T1203 for legitimate program execution through manipulation of system libraries. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual compression patterns or memory access violations that could indicate exploitation attempts, and network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on suspicious data serialization patterns that might indicate attempts to trigger this buffer overflow condition.