CVE-2026-14940

5.3 MEDIUM 0.5% exploit odds Fix listed Memory safety Server

What it is

A heap-buffer-overflow flaw was found in 389 Directory Server (389-ds-base). When normalizing a Distinguished Name (DN) that contains a legacy-quoted value encoding a multivalued nested Relative Distinguished Name (RDN), the server can write past the end of a heap allocation while sorting RDN attribute-value pairs. An unauthenticated remote attacker can trigger this condition by sending an LDAP operation whose DN reaches the DN normalization routine, such as a search with a crafted base DN. This can corrupt heap memory and may cause denial of service.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.
Exploit odds: 0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2026-07-07 15:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-11-05 17:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 5.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2026-07-07 15:16 UTC
Last modified: 2026-11-05 17:18 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-122
Record status: Analyzed

Affected

Redhat Directory Server 11.0
Redhat Directory Server 12.0
Redhat Directory Server 13.0
Redhat 389 Directory Server
Redhat Enterprise Linux 7.0
Redhat Enterprise Linux 8.0
Redhat Enterprise Linux 9.0
Redhat Enterprise Linux 10.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.3

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: None
Integrity: None
Availability: Low

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

Is it in your code?

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Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-14940.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-14940. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record