CVE-2026-55971 in Thrift
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Apache Thrift C++ bindings.
This issue affects Apache Thrift: before 0.24.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 0.24.0, which fixes the issue.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Apache Thrift C++ bindings represents a critical security flaw that enables arbitrary code execution through malformed data processing. This vulnerability affects all versions prior to 0.24.0 and stems from insufficient input validation within the C++ implementation of the Apache Thrift framework. The issue manifests when the software processes serialized data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption patterns.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of buffer allocations during deserialization operations within the C++ bindings. When Thrift encounters malformed or oversized data structures, the underlying memory management routines fail to properly validate input lengths against allocated buffer sizes. This allows attackers to craft specially crafted payloads that overflow heap buffers and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking permits writes beyond allocated memory blocks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who can influence the data processed by Apache Thrift C++ bindings could execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the running process. This risk is particularly elevated in environments where Thrift services handle untrusted input from external sources, such as web applications or distributed systems. The vulnerability creates potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement within networked environments where multiple services rely on Thrift for communication.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate mitigation through the recommended upgrade to Apache Thrift version 0.24.0, which implements proper boundary checking and input validation mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input filtering at network boundaries, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual data patterns, and conducting thorough code reviews of any custom implementations that interact with Thrift components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting memory corruption methods that leverage heap-based buffer overflows to gain unauthorized system access.
Organizations utilizing Apache Thrift in production environments must conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions. The remediation process should include not only software upgrades but also verification of patch effectiveness through security testing procedures. Regular monitoring and updating of third-party libraries remains essential, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other components of the software supply chain that could present comparable risks to system integrity and data confidentiality.