cPanel Cpanel::JSON::XS up to 4.79 Decode decode_hv memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in cPanel Cpanel::JSON::XS up to 4.79. This issue affects the function decode_hv of the component Decode. This manipulation causes memory leak. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-110672. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in cPanel Cpanel::JSON::XS up to 4.79. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function decode_hv of the component Decode. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.80 for Perl leak the decoded key of an object rejected for a duplicate key or a missing colon in decode_hv. A quoted key of 24 or more bytes, or one containing a non-ASCII byte or an escape sequence, is decoded into a new scalar. Nothing frees that scalar when the object is rejected for a missing ':' after the key or, from 4.09, for a duplicate key. Duplicate keys are an error unless allow_dupkeys, dupkeys_as_arrayref or relaxed is set. A process that keeps running after a failed decode retains one key per rejected document, with its size chosen by the sender. Repeated requests exhaust process memory.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-110672 since 10/14/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 4.80 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

• Hosting Control Software

Vendor

• cPanel

Name

• Cpanel::JSON::XS

Version

• 4.0
• 4.1
• 4.2
• 4.3
• 4.4
• 4.5
• 4.6
• 4.7
• 4.8
• 4.9
• 4.10
• 4.11
• 4.12
• 4.13
• 4.14
• 4.15
• 4.16
• 4.17
• 4.18
• 4.19
• 4.20
• 4.21
• 4.22
• 4.23
• 4.24
• 4.25
• 4.26
• 4.27
• 4.28
• 4.29
• 4.30
• 4.31
• 4.32
• 4.33
• 4.34
• 4.35
• 4.36
• 4.37
• 4.38
• 4.39
• 4.40
• 4.41
• 4.42
• 4.43
• 4.44
• 4.45
• 4.46
• 4.47
• 4.48
• 4.49
• 4.50
• 4.51
• 4.52
• 4.53
• 4.54
• 4.55
• 4.56
• 4.57
• 4.58
• 4.59
• 4.60
• 4.61
• 4.62
• 4.63
• 4.64
• 4.65
• 4.66
• 4.67
• 4.68
• 4.69
• 4.70
• 4.71
• 4.72
• 4.73
• 4.74
• 4.75
• 4.76
• 4.77
• 4.78
• 4.79

License

• commercial

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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