CVE-2026-49282 capstone-engine CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for systems using Capstone, especially those exposing instruction-name lookup to untrusted input, should assess exposure and prioritize updating to version 6.0.0-Alpha9 or later.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-49282 is a vulnerability in Capstone's `cs_insn_name()` API that can lead to a process crash due to an out-of-bounds read. Defenders should prioritize updating to version 6.0.0-Alpha9 or later and assess exposure in systems using Capstone with untrusted instruction IDs.

• Potential process crash impacting availability in applications or bindings
• Need for input validation for instruction IDs in vulnerable systems
• Verification of Capstone version and exposure in specific deployment contexts

Technical summary

The `cs_insn_name()` API in Capstone, a disassembly framework, does not properly validate instruction IDs on M68K and RISCV architectures. This allows for an out-of-bounds read when an invalid instruction ID is provided, potentially crashing the process. The vulnerability is patched in version 6.0.0-Alpha9. Affected product deployments should be verified, and defenders should prioritize updating to version 6.0.0-Alpha9 or later, especially in systems where instruction-name lookup is exposed to untrusted input. Input validation for instruction IDs should be implemented in vulnerable systems.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize verifying and updating Capstone to version 6.0.0-Alpha9 or later, especially in systems where instruction-name lookup is exposed to untrusted input.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify and update Capstone to version 6.0.0-Alpha9 or later
• Assess exposure in applications or bindings that use Capstone's `cs_insn_name()` API with untrusted instruction IDs
• Implement input validation for instruction IDs in systems using Capstone
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, including its impact on availability and the patched version. However, further verification is needed to assess the full scope of affected systems and potential workarounds.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.