CVE-2026-22693

Null Pointer Dereference in SubtableUnicodesCache::create leading to DoS

Published Jan 10, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
HarfBuzz is a text shaping engine. Prior to version 12.3.0, a null pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the SubtableUnicodesCache::create function located in src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh. The function fails to check if hb_malloc returns NULL before using placement new to construct an object at the returned pointer address. When hb_malloc fails to allocate memory (which can occur in low-memory conditions or when using custom allocators that simulate allocation failures), it returns NULL. The code then attempts to call the constructor on this null pointer using placement new syntax, resulting in undefined behavior and a Segmentation Fault. This issue has been patched in version 12.3.0.

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:harfbuzz_project:harfbuzz:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Harfbuzz Project
Harfbuzz Project harfbuzz
Vendors & Products Harfbuzz Project
Harfbuzz Project harfbuzz
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description HarfBuzz is a text shaping engine. Prior to version 12.3.0, a null pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the SubtableUnicodesCache::create function located in src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh. The function fails to check if hb_malloc returns NULL before using placement new to construct an object at the returned pointer address. When hb_malloc fails to allocate memory (which can occur in low-memory conditions or when using custom allocators that simulate allocation failures), it returns NULL. The code then attempts to call the constructor on this null pointer using placement new syntax, resulting in undefined behavior and a Segmentation Fault. This issue has been patched in version 12.3.0.
Title Null Pointer Dereference in SubtableUnicodesCache::create leading to DoS
Weaknesses CWE-476
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Jan 12, 2026, 4:47 PM
Reserved
Jan 8, 2026, 7:23 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jan 10, 2026, 6:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 10:20 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jan 10, 2026, 5:53 AM