CVE-2026-16013 in CIPster
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2026
A vulnerability has been found in liftoff-sr CIPster up to 632336d414ef708a542377c1aa8d6fdb7c70a760. Affected by this issue is the function CipAppPath::deserialize_symbolic of the file source/src/cip/cipepath.cc. Such manipulation leads to out-of-bounds read. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. This product operates on a rolling release basis, ensuring continuous delivery. Consequently, there are no version details for either affected or updated releases. The name of the patch is 886a4d090e1c5b0475f0b1c2fe0606a8f0d6a519. A patch should be applied to remediate this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2026
The vulnerability identified in liftoff-sr CIPster represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the CipAppPath::deserialize_symbolic function located in source/src/cip/cipepath.cc. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length or bounds of input data, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or potential exploitation by malicious actors. The issue affects the rolling release version of the software where no specific version numbers are available for either the vulnerable or patched releases, complicating the identification and remediation process.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper bounds checking during the deserialization of symbolic paths within the CIPster application framework. When processing input data through the CipAppPath::deserialize_symbolic function, the software fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations, creating opportunities for attackers to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely, as indicated by the disclosure of public exploit availability, suggesting that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information from the application's memory space or cause denial-of-service conditions through controlled memory access patterns. Given that CIPster operates in a rolling release model with continuous delivery, organizations may face challenges in maintaining current patch levels since version identification is not readily available, creating extended windows of exposure. The lack of specific version details also complicates security assessments and vulnerability management processes.
Security remediation requires immediate application of the patch identified by the commit hash 886a4d090e1c5b0475f0b1c2fe0606a8f0d6a519, which should address the out-of-bounds read condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement monitoring for exploitation attempts and consider network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through input manipulation and represents a significant risk to system integrity and data confidentiality within environments where CIPster is deployed.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of rigorous input validation in security-critical applications, particularly those operating in continuous delivery environments where traditional version-based patch management becomes less effective. The public disclosure of exploit code increases the urgency for remediation, as it reduces the time window available for organizations to implement protective measures. Security teams should prioritize assessment of similar functions within the application codebase to identify potential analogous vulnerabilities that may require similar remediation approaches.