CVE-2026-6100
CVE-2026-6100 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. 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-416.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
- CVSS v4: 9.1
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (43rd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-22028
- Weakness: CWE-416
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Use-after-free (UAF) was possible in the `lzma.LZMADecompressor`, `bz2.BZ2Decompressor`, and `gzip.GzipFile` when a memory allocation fails with a `MemoryError` and the decompression instance is re-used. This scenario can be triggered if the process is under memory pressure. The fix cleans up the dangling pointer in this specific error condition. The vulnerability is only present if the program re-uses decompressor instances across multiple decompression calls even after a `MemoryError` is raised during decompression. Using the helper functions to one-shot decompress data such as `lzma.decompress()`, `bz2.decompress()`, `gzip.decompress()`, and `zlib.decompress()` are not affected as a new decompressor instance is used per call. If the decompressor instance is not re-used after an error condition, this usage is similarly not vulnerable.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-6100?
- Use-after-free (UAF) was possible in the `lzma.LZMADecompressor`, `bz2.BZ2Decompressor`, and `gzip.GzipFile` when a memory allocation fails with a `MemoryError` and the decompression instance is re-used. This scenario can be triggered if the process is under memory pressure. The fix cleans up the dangling pointer in this specific error condition. The vulnerability is only present if the program re-uses decompressor instances across multiple decompression calls even after a `MemoryError` is raised during decompression. Using the helper functions to one-shot decompress data such as `lzma.decompress()`, `bz2.decompress()`, `gzip.decompress()`, and `zlib.decompress()` are not affected as a new decompressor instance is used per call. If the decompressor instance is not re-used after an error condition, this usage is similarly not vulnerable.
- How severe is CVE-2026-6100?
- CVE-2026-6100 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2026-6100 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (43rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-6100?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2026-6100 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-6100 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-22028.
- When was CVE-2026-6100 published?
- CVE-2026-6100 was published on 2026-04-13 and last updated on 2026-06-30.
References
- https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/47128e64f98c3a20271138a98c2922bea2a3ee0e
- https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/6a5f79c8d7bbf22b083b240910c7a8781a59437d
- https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/8fc66aef6d7b3ae58f43f5c66f9366cc8cbbfcd2
- https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/c3cf71c3366fe49acb776a639405c0eea6169c20
- https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/e20c6c9667c99ecaab96e1a2b3767082841ffc8b
- https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/148395
- https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/148396
- https://mail.python.org/archives/list/[email protected]/thread/HTWB2Z6KT5QQX4RYEZAFININDHNOSIF3/
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/13/10
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10117
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10140
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10141
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10711
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10745
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10774
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10949
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10950
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:11062
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:11077
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:11768
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13692
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13812
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14652
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14653
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14656
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16699
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:17525
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:17619
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19019
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19064
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