CVE-2026-9516: CWE-763 Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference in RURBAN Cpanel::JSON::XS
CVE-2026-9516 is a vulnerability in Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4. 41 for Perl that allows denial of service when decoding JSON input prefixed with a UTF-8 BOM and a decode filter callback throws an exception. The issue arises because the input scalar's string pointer is advanced to skip the BOM but not properly restored if an exception occurs, leaving an invalid pointer that causes the Perl interpreter to abort when the scalar is freed.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves improper handling of UTF-8 BOM prefixed input in Cpanel::JSON::XS prior to version 4.41. When decode_json() processes such input, it advances the string pointer to skip the BOM. If a decode filter callback throws an exception during decoding, the pointer restoration is skipped, resulting in an invalid pointer state. Subsequent freeing of this scalar triggers a crash of the Perl interpreter due to the allocator receiving an invalid pointer. This leads to a denial of service condition.
Potential Impact
The impact is a denial of service caused by the Perl interpreter aborting when processing specially crafted JSON input with a UTF-8 BOM prefix and a throwing decode filter callback. This crash affects any caller using the vulnerable versions of Cpanel::JSON::XS under these conditions. No information about code execution or data corruption is provided.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, avoid processing JSON input with UTF-8 BOM prefixes combined with decode filter callbacks that may throw exceptions. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply official patches once released.
CVE-2026-9516: CWE-763 Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference in RURBAN Cpanel::JSON::XS
Description
CVE-2026-9516 is a vulnerability in Cpanel::JSON::XS versions before 4. 41 for Perl that allows denial of service when decoding JSON input prefixed with a UTF-8 BOM and a decode filter callback throws an exception. The issue arises because the input scalar's string pointer is advanced to skip the BOM but not properly restored if an exception occurs, leaving an invalid pointer that causes the Perl interpreter to abort when the scalar is freed.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves improper handling of UTF-8 BOM prefixed input in Cpanel::JSON::XS prior to version 4.41. When decode_json() processes such input, it advances the string pointer to skip the BOM. If a decode filter callback throws an exception during decoding, the pointer restoration is skipped, resulting in an invalid pointer state. Subsequent freeing of this scalar triggers a crash of the Perl interpreter due to the allocator receiving an invalid pointer. This leads to a denial of service condition.
Potential Impact
The impact is a denial of service caused by the Perl interpreter aborting when processing specially crafted JSON input with a UTF-8 BOM prefix and a throwing decode filter callback. This crash affects any caller using the vulnerable versions of Cpanel::JSON::XS under these conditions. No information about code execution or data corruption is provided.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, avoid processing JSON input with UTF-8 BOM prefixes combined with decode filter callbacks that may throw exceptions. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply official patches once released.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- CPANSec
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-25T18:54:26.396Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a1f765ee29bf47b50276b28
Added to database: 6/3/2026, 12:33:34 AM
Last enriched: 6/3/2026, 12:48:27 AM
Last updated: 6/3/2026, 1:43:36 AM
Views: 4
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