CVE-2026-22264 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in Suricata, an open-source network intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS) and network security monitoring (NSM) engine. The vulnerability is triggered by an unsigned integer overflow that occurs when Suricata processes a single network packet that generates an excessive number of alerts. Specifically, when the number of matching signatures for a single packet exceeds a certain threshold, the integer overflow causes Suricata to incorrectly manage memory, leading to a heap use-after-free condition. This memory corruption can be exploited to disrupt the normal operation of Suricata, potentially causing a denial of service (crash) or enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Suricata process. The vulnerability affects Suricata versions prior to 7.0.14 and versions from 8.0.0 up to but not including 8.0.3, where patches have been applied to fix the issue. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction, but the attack complexity is high due to the need to craft packets that trigger excessive alerts. No public exploits have been observed in the wild to date. As a workaround, users can avoid running untrusted rulesets or limit the number of signatures that can match a single packet to less than 65,536 to reduce the risk until patched versions are deployed. This vulnerability impacts the integrity and availability of Suricata deployments, which are critical components in network defense architectures.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-22264 can be significant, especially for those relying heavily on Suricata for network intrusion detection and prevention. A successful exploitation could lead to denial of service, causing Suricata to crash and thus blind the network monitoring capabilities, or potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, compromising the integrity of the monitoring system. This could facilitate further attacks by evading detection or manipulating alert data. Critical infrastructure sectors, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and large enterprises in Europe that deploy Suricata as part of their cybersecurity defenses are at heightened risk. Disruption of Suricata services could lead to delayed incident detection and response, increasing the risk of data breaches or service outages. The vulnerability's network-based attack vector means that attackers can attempt exploitation remotely, increasing the threat surface. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks, making timely patching essential.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade Suricata to version 7.0.14 or 8.0.3 and later, where the vulnerability has been patched. Until upgrades can be applied, organizations should avoid running untrusted or community rulesets that may generate excessive alerts on a single packet. Additionally, configure Suricata to limit the number of signatures that can match a single packet to fewer than 65,536 to prevent triggering the integer overflow condition. Network administrators should monitor Suricata logs for unusual alert volumes that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Employ network segmentation and strict ingress filtering to reduce exposure to potentially malicious traffic. Regularly review and update IDS/IPS rulesets to minimize false positives and reduce alert storms. Finally, integrate Suricata monitoring with centralized security information and event management (SIEM) systems to detect anomalies promptly and respond to potential exploitation attempts.