CVE-2026-16554

Integer Overflow Leading to Heap Buffer Overflow in cJSON

Published Jul 27, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 5.1 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
cJSON library is vulnerable to an integer overflow in the print_string_ptr() function in cJSON.c on 32-bit platforms. The escape_characters counter, a 32-bit size_t, can wrap around when processing strings containing approximately 858,993,460 or more control characters, causing the output buffer to be allocated based on an underestimated length. When cJSON_PrintBuffered() is used with a pre-allocated buffer, the subsequent write loop overflows the heap allocation. An attacker supplying a crafted JSON string to an application using cJSON on a 32-bit platform can cause a heap buffer overflow, potentially leading to remote code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service.




Because project creator contact attempts were unsuccessful, the vulnerability has only been confirmed in version 1.7.19 but may also affect other versions.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:davegamble:cjson:1.7.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-131
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Davegamble
Davegamble cjson
Vendors & Products Davegamble
Davegamble cjson
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description cJSON library is vulnerable to an integer overflow in the print_string_ptr() function in cJSON.c on 32-bit platforms. The escape_characters counter, a 32-bit size_t, can wrap around when processing strings containing approximately 858,993,460 or more control characters, causing the output buffer to be allocated based on an underestimated length. When cJSON_PrintBuffered() is used with a pre-allocated buffer, the subsequent write loop overflows the heap allocation. An attacker supplying a crafted JSON string to an application using cJSON on a 32-bit platform can cause a heap buffer overflow, potentially leading to remote code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service. Because project creator contact attempts were unsuccessful, the vulnerability has only been confirmed in version 1.7.19 but may also affect other versions.
Title Integer Overflow Leading to Heap Buffer Overflow in cJSON
Weaknesses CWE-190
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 5.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:L/SI:L/SA:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
CERT-PL
Published
Updated
Jul 31, 2026, 1:34 PM
Reserved
Jul 22, 2026, 11:49 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jul 27, 2026, 9:16 AM
Modified
Oct 24, 2026, 1:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jul 27, 2026, 8:40 AM