CVE-2026-116590 in snappy-java
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
snappy-java is a Java port of the snappy, a fast C++ compresser/decompresser developed by Google. Prior to 1.1.10.9, Snappy.arrayCopy(Object src, int offset, int byteLength, Object dest, int destOffset) passes caller-supplied ranges to native memcpy without validating either array, allowing negative or oversized byteLength and offset values to read or write outside array bounds and crash the JVM. SnappyOutputStream.rawWrite and SnappyInputStream.rawRead, including their typed-array write and read methods, pass caller-controlled ranges through this primitive, and typed-array byte-size calculations can overflow int. This issue is fixed in version 1.1.10.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability identified in snappy-java versions prior to 1.1.10.9 represents a critical memory safety flaw rooted in the improper handling of array bounds during native method invocations. Snappy-java serves as a Java port for Google’s high-performance Snappy compression library, relying on JNI (Java Native Interface) calls to execute efficient C++ operations such as memcpy. The core technical defect lies within the internal helper method responsible for copying data between arrays, which fails to validate input parameters before passing them to native code. Specifically, when methods like rawWrite in SnappyOutputStream or rawRead in SnappyInputStream process user-supplied ranges, they delegate array copy operations without sufficient boundary checks on the source and destination objects. This architectural oversight allows an attacker to supply negative offsets, oversized byte lengths, or mismatched array sizes that bypass Java’s standard runtime protections.
The operational impact of this flaw is severe, primarily manifesting as a denial-of-service condition through JVM crashes. Because the native memcpy function operates directly on memory addresses without awareness of Java object boundaries, passing invalid parameters results in out-of-bounds reads or writes. While some theoretical scenarios might suggest potential for arbitrary code execution if specific heap layouts are exploited, the primary and most immediate consequence observed is the termination of the Java Virtual Machine process. This instability disrupts any service relying on Snappy-java for data compression or decompression, leading to significant availability issues in production environments where high-throughput streaming or bulk data processing is common. The vulnerability affects both typed-array write and read methods due to similar underlying logic flaws in how byte-size calculations are performed and validated before native delegation.
Furthermore, the issue is compounded by integer overflow vulnerabilities within the typed-array size calculation mechanisms. When calculating the required buffer sizes for compression or decompression operations, insufficient validation allows arithmetic overflows that can result in negative lengths being passed to the copy primitive. This exacerbates the risk of memory corruption and further destabilizes the application runtime. The lack of input sanitization at the JNI boundary creates a direct attack vector against applications integrating this library, particularly those processing untrusted or partially trusted data streams from external sources.
To mitigate these risks, organizations must immediately upgrade to snappy-java version 1.1.10.9 or later, where the developers have implemented rigorous input validation and bounds checking before invoking native methods. This update ensures that all array offsets, lengths, and destination indices are verified against actual array dimensions prior to any memory operations. Additionally, security teams should audit their dependency trees for other instances of this library and enforce strict version control policies in build pipelines. From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), reflecting the fundamental memory safety errors involved. In terms of adversarial tactics, it relates to ATT&CK technique T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service), as the primary exploit outcome is the disruption of service availability through application crash rather than data exfiltration or system compromise.