CVE-2026-7482: Ollama heap out-of-bounds read in GGUF tensor parsing leaks server process memory to unauthenticated remote attackers

Published May 4, 2026
·
Updated

Ollama before 0.17.1 contains a heap out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the GGUF model loader. The /api/create endpoint accepts an attacker-supplied GGUF file in which the declared tensor offset and size exceed the file's actual length; during quantization in fs/ggml/gguf.go and server/quantization.go (WriteTo()), the server reads past the allocated heap buffer. The leaked memory contents may include environment variables, API keys, system prompts, and concurrent users' conversation data, and can be exfiltrated by uploading the resulting model artifact through the /api/push endpoint to an attacker-controlled registry. The /api/create and /api/push endpoints have no authentication in the upstream distribution. Default deployments bind to 127.0.0.1, but the documented OLLAMAHOST=0.0.0.0 configuration is widely used in practice (large public-internet exposure observed).

Affected Software

2 affected components
Ollama Ollama<0.17.1
Ollama Ollama<0.17.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade ollama to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.17.1Patch PR #14406
  2. Compensating control

    Do not expose Ollama publicly with OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0; instead bind to 127.0.0.1 (or restrict network access so the server process and unauthenticated /api/create and /api/push endpoints are not reachable from the public internet).

  3. Operational

    After upgrading to ollama 0.17.1+, rotate any secrets that could have been leaked (e.g., API keys) and review for model artifacts uploaded via /api/push that may contain exfiltrated server memory.

Event History

May 4, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:38 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:38 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Oct 13, 58358
Event
via FIRST·08:22 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-7482?

CVE-2026-7482 is rated as a high severity vulnerability due to its potential to leak server process memory to unauthenticated remote attackers.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-7482?

To fix CVE-2026-7482, upgrade Ollama to version 0.17.1 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-7482?

CVE-2026-7482 is a heap out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting the GGUF model loader in Ollama.

4

Who is affected by CVE-2026-7482?

CVE-2026-7482 affects users of Ollama versions before 0.17.1 that use the /api/create endpoint with attacker-supplied GGUF files.

5

What can attackers achieve through CVE-2026-7482?

Attackers can exploit CVE-2026-7482 to read memory contents of the server process, potentially accessing sensitive information.

Contact

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