CVE-2026-9516CWE-755CWE-763

Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.41 for Perl allow denial of service via UTF-8 BOM prefixed input when a decode filter callback throws

High · published June 3, 2026

CVSS v3.1
7.5
EPSS
1%
Percentile
48.9
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.41 for Perl allow denial of service via UTF-8 BOM prefixed input when a decode filter callback throws.

To skip a leading 3-byte UTF-8 BOM, decode_json() advances the input scalar's string pointer past the mark with SvPV_set() and restores it only on the normal return path. When decoding aborts through a Perl exception, for example a filter_json_object callback that croaks, the restore is skipped and the scalar is left with its string pointer offset into its own buffer and a shortened length.

When that scalar is later freed, the allocator receives an invalid pointer and the interpreter aborts. A single BOM prefixed document decoded with a throwing filter callback crashes any caller.

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.5 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00616 · 48.9th percentile
Weaknesses
CWE-755 · Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions; CWE-763 · Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference
Published
2026-06-03T00:15Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 JUN 00:15Z
    Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4.41 for Perl allow denial of service via UTF-8 BOM prefixed input when a decode filter callback throws
    cvelistv5