CVE-2026-40342

CVE-2026-40342 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Firebirdsql Firebird with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Description

Firebird is an open-source relational database management system. In versions prior to 5.0.4, 4.0.7 and 3.0.14, the external engine plugin loader concatenates a user-supplied engine name into a filesystem path without filtering path separators or .. components. An authenticated user with CREATE FUNCTION privileges can use a crafted ENGINE name to load an arbitrary shared library from anywhere on the filesystem via path traversal. The library's initialization code executes immediately during loading, before Firebird validates the module, achieving code execution as the server's OS account. This issue has been fixed in versions 5.0.4, 4.0.7 and 3.0.14.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-40342?
Firebird is an open-source relational database management system. In versions prior to 5.0.4, 4.0.7 and 3.0.14, the external engine plugin loader concatenates a user-supplied engine name into a filesystem path without filtering path separators or .. components. An authenticated user with CREATE FUNCTION privileges can use a crafted ENGINE name to load an arbitrary shared library from anywhere on the filesystem via path traversal. The library's initialization code executes immediately during loading, before Firebird validates the module, achieving code execution as the server's OS account. This issue has been fixed in versions 5.0.4, 4.0.7 and 3.0.14.
How severe is CVE-2026-40342?
CVE-2026-40342 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.9, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-40342 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (48th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-40342?
CVE-2026-40342 affects Firebirdsql Firebird. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-40342?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-40342 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2026-40342 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-23496.
When was CVE-2026-40342 published?
CVE-2026-40342 was published on 2026-04-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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