CVE-2026-22262 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the open-source network security monitoring engine Suricata, maintained by the Open Information Security Foundation (OISF). Suricata functions as an IDS, IPS, and NSM engine widely deployed for network traffic analysis and threat detection. The vulnerability arises during the process of saving datasets within Suricata, where a stack buffer is used to prepare the data. If the dataset size exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, a stack overflow occurs, potentially leading to application crashes or denial of service. This issue affects Suricata versions prior to 7.0.14 and versions from 8.0.0 up to but not including 8.0.3. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-121, indicating a classic stack-based buffer overflow. Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction, but the attack complexity is rated high due to the need for crafting large datasets in rules with 'save' or 'state' options. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.9, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the impact on availability without confidentiality or integrity compromise. No known exploits have been reported in the wild. Mitigation involves upgrading to Suricata versions 7.0.14 or 8.0.3 and later, or alternatively avoiding the use of rules that employ dataset 'save' or 'state' options until patches are applied. This vulnerability could disrupt network monitoring capabilities if exploited, impacting incident detection and response.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2026-22262 is the potential denial of service of Suricata-based network security monitoring systems. Suricata is commonly deployed in enterprise, government, and critical infrastructure networks to detect and prevent cyber threats. A successful exploitation could cause Suricata to crash or become unstable, leading to gaps in network visibility and delayed threat detection. This could increase the risk of undetected intrusions or lateral movement by attackers. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly affected, the loss of availability in security monitoring tools can have cascading effects on overall cybersecurity posture. Organizations with high reliance on Suricata for real-time intrusion detection, especially those with complex rule sets using dataset save/state features, are at greater risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and ease of triggering the overflow through crafted rules necessitate prompt remediation to maintain operational security.

1. Upgrade Suricata to version 7.0.14 or 8.0.3 (or later) where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Until patching is possible, disable or avoid using rules that include dataset 'save' or 'state' options, as these trigger the vulnerable code path. 3. Review and audit custom Suricata rulesets to identify and remove or modify rules that use these dataset options. 4. Implement network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure of Suricata management interfaces and rule update mechanisms. 5. Monitor Suricata logs and system stability closely for signs of crashes or abnormal behavior that could indicate attempted exploitation. 6. Employ defense-in-depth by complementing Suricata with other network security tools to reduce reliance on a single monitoring engine. 7. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of Suricata deployments and versions across the organization to prioritize patching efforts. 8. Engage with the OISF community and security advisories to stay informed of any emerging exploit techniques or additional patches.