CVE-2026-76989 in CIPster
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
A security vulnerability has been detected in liftoff-sr CIPster 1802525be27d33e19a9a83c163e331a1d13b1892. This impacts an unknown function of the file source/src/enet_encap/encap.cc of the component TCP Encapsulation Receive Path. The manipulation leads to out-of-bounds read. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. The identifier of the patch is e8e9dba09bf56962807d3504b783ccdb6287f3e4. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
The identified vulnerability resides within the TCP Encapsulation Receive Path of liftoff-sr CIPster, specifically affecting an unknown function in the source file encap.cc located at source/src/enet_encap/encap.cc. This component is critical for handling network traffic encapsulation and decapsulation processes, which are fundamental to maintaining secure and reliable data transmission over IP networks. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read error, a type of memory safety violation where the application attempts to access memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries. Such errors typically arise from improper bounds checking or incorrect calculation of array indices during packet processing operations. In the context of network-facing components like TCP encapsulation handlers, this vulnerability is particularly severe because it can be triggered by remote attackers who send specially crafted packets designed to exploit the logic error within the receive path.
From a technical perspective, an out-of-bounds read allows an attacker to potentially leak sensitive information from the process memory space that should otherwise remain inaccessible. Depending on the specific implementation details and the data structures involved in the encap.cc module, this could lead to the disclosure of cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential system states. While out-of-bounds reads are generally considered less immediately dangerous than buffer overflows which allow for code execution, they still pose a significant risk through information leakage that can facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or bypassing security controls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, which highlights the failure to verify array bounds before accessing memory elements. This classification underscores the importance of rigorous input validation and boundary checks in network protocol implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage. Because the exploit has been disclosed publicly, automated scanning tools and malicious actors can readily identify systems running unpatched versions of liftoff-sr CIPster with the specific commit hash 1802525be27d33e19a9a83c163e331a1d13b1892. This significantly increases the attack surface and likelihood of exploitation in production environments. An attacker leveraging this vulnerability could perform reconnaissance activities to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially leading to more severe compromises if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The remote nature of the exploit means that no prior authentication is required, making it a high-risk issue for any internet-facing service relying on this component.
In terms of threat modeling and attack vectors, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Collection or Discovery phases where adversaries gather information from the target environment. The ability to read arbitrary memory contents can be used to fingerprint operating system versions, kernel parameters, or application-specific data structures that aid in crafting subsequent exploits. Therefore, treating this as a critical security issue is warranted due to its potential role in broader attack chains rather than just isolated information disclosure.
To mitigate this risk, it is strongly recommended to deploy the patch identified by commit hash e8e9dba09bf56962807d3504b783ccdb6287f3e4 as soon as possible. This patch addresses the underlying logic error in the TCP Encapsulation Receive Path, ensuring that all memory accesses are properly bounded and validated against buffer limits. Organizations should prioritize updating their liftoff-sr CIPster installations to include this fix. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as intrusion detection systems configured to detect anomalous packet patterns associated with out-of-bounds read attempts can provide an additional layer of defense in depth while patching is being applied. Regular security audits and static code analysis focused on memory safety issues are also advised to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in future development cycles.