CVE-2026-120651

CGI versions before 5.00 for Perl allow an infinite loop on a short request body when $DISABLE_UPLOADS is set

Published Nov 3, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
CGI versions before 5.00 for Perl allow an infinite loop on a short request body when $DISABLE_UPLOADS is set.

When $CGI::PUTDATA_UPLOAD or an upload hook is set, read_postdata_putdata takes a request body that is not a form submission. With $CGI::DISABLE_UPLOADS set, it discards the body by reading until Content-Length bytes have arrived. Once a body shorter than its Content-Length runs out, every read returns 0, so the loop never ends.

A client can keep a server process spinning with one such request.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to CGI 5.00 or later.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description CGI versions before 5.00 for Perl allow an infinite loop on a short request body when $DISABLE_UPLOADS is set. When $CGI::PUTDATA_UPLOAD or an upload hook is set, read_postdata_putdata takes a request body that is not a form submission. With $CGI::DISABLE_UPLOADS set, it discards the body by reading until Content-Length bytes have arrived. Once a body shorter than its Content-Length runs out, every read returns 0, so the loop never ends. A client can keep a server process spinning with one such request.
Title CGI versions before 5.00 for Perl allow an infinite loop on a short request body when $DISABLE_UPLOADS is set
Weaknesses CWE-835
References

Subscriptions

No data.

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
CPANSec
Published
Updated
Nov 9, 2026, 6:43 PM
Reserved
Nov 2, 2026, 5:59 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Nov 4, 2026, 12:17 AM
Modified
Nov 9, 2026, 7:16 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Nov 3, 2026, 11:41 PM