CVE-2026-4012 in rxi
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2026
A vulnerability was determined in rxi fe up to ed4cda96bd582cbb08520964ba627efb40f3dd91. The impacted element is the function read_ of the file src/fe.c. This manipulation with the input 1 causes out-of-bounds read. The attack requires local access. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized. This product uses a rolling release model to deliver continuous updates. As a result, specific version information for affected or updated releases is not available. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-4012 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the rxi fe software component, specifically within the read_ function located in src/fe.c. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which defines out-of-bounds read conditions where a program reads data from memory locations beyond the bounds of a buffer. The flaw manifests when the function processes input value 1, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability requires local access for exploitation, indicating that an attacker must already have system-level privileges or physical access to the target machine to leverage this weakness. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK matrix under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, as it could potentially be used to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is believed to be actively exploitable, making it a significant concern for system administrators and security professionals who manage installations of this software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the read_ function, which fails to validate the input parameter before processing. When the function receives input 1, it performs memory operations without proper boundary validation, leading to potential information disclosure or system instability. The rolling release model employed by the project complicates remediation efforts as the software updates continuously without clear version tracking, making it difficult for users to determine whether their installations are vulnerable or patched. This release model, while beneficial for continuous improvement, creates challenges for vulnerability management and incident response, as traditional version-based patching strategies become ineffective. The fact that the project was informed through an issue report but has not yet responded indicates a potential delay in the security patching process that could leave systems exposed for extended periods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or system crashes, as out-of-bounds reads can potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data, credentials, or system configuration information that resides in memory adjacent to the vulnerable buffer. The local access requirement does not diminish the severity, as local privilege escalation attacks are often the first step in broader compromise scenarios, particularly in environments where attackers have already gained initial access through other means. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as memory protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and stack canaries to mitigate potential exploitation. The lack of specific version information due to the rolling release model necessitates proactive monitoring and regular security assessments to identify vulnerable installations. Security teams should also consider the potential for this vulnerability to be combined with other weaknesses in the software stack to create more sophisticated attack vectors, particularly in environments where multiple components interact with each other. The absence of a response from the project team highlights the importance of maintaining awareness of such vulnerabilities and implementing compensating controls until official patches are available.