CVE-2026-31967: HTSlib CRAM reader has out-of-bounds read due to improper validation of input
HTSlib is a library for reading and writing bioinformatics file formats. CRAM is a compressed format which stores DNA sequence alignment data. In the cramdecodeslice() function called while reading CRAM records, the value of the mate reference id field was not validated. Later use of this value, for example when converting the data to SAM format, could result in the out of bounds array reads when looking up the corresponding reference name. If the array value obtained also happened to be a valid pointer, it would be interpreted as a string and an attempt would be made to write the data as part of the SAM record. This bug may allow information about program state to be leaked. It may also cause a program crash through an attempt to access invalid memory. Versions 1.23.1, 1.22.2 and 1.21.1 include fixes for this issue. There is no workaround for this issue.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-31967?
CVE-2026-31967 has been assessed with a high severity due to the potential for out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities.
How do I fix CVE-2026-31967?
To mitigate CVE-2026-31967, update HTSlib to version 1.22.2 or later, as this version includes fixes for the vulnerability.
What versions of HTSlib are affected by CVE-2026-31967?
CVE-2026-31967 affects HTSlib versions prior to 1.22.2 and specifically the versions 1.21.1 to 1.22.1.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-31967?
CVE-2026-31967 is classified as an out-of-bounds read vulnerability, which can lead to potential information disclosure or application crashes.
Where can I find more information about CVE-2026-31967?
For more details regarding CVE-2026-31967, refer to the HTSlib GitHub repository's security advisories and update notes.