CVE-2026-18743
A flaw was found in popt. This vulnerability allows an attacker to provide specially crafted configuration content to a host, which, when loaded, can lead to a small memory corruption issue. This occurs because of an error in how the poptConfigFileToString function reallocates memory for buffers. Successful exploitation could result in heap metadata corruption, potentially causing the affected process to become unavailable (denial of service).
CSIRTS triage
- What
- Short realloc buffer issue in poptconfigfiletostring function.
- Who is affected
- Systems using popt-devel or popt-static libraries in affected versions.
- Urgency
- Low severity (CVSS 2.5); remediation can follow standard patching cycle.
- Action
- Update popt to the patched version.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
⚡ Watch CVE-2026-18743
Get an email if CVE-2026-18743 is added to CISA KEV, gains public exploit code, or a new advisory cites it — max one per day, one-click unsubscribe.
Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.12% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 2% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (2)
External references
Embed the live status
— this badge updates automatically when the KEV or exploit status changes. How to embed it →
[](https://www.csirts.com/cve/CVE-2026-18743)