CVE-2026-41989 gnupg CVE debrief

Who should care

Users of Libgcrypt versions prior to 1.12.2, 1.10.4, and 1.11.3 should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. This includes operators, platform administrators, vulnerability management teams, and security teams who may be impacted by the vulnerability.

Technical summary

The vulnerability, CVE-2026-41989, exists in the Libgcrypt library, specifically in the gcry_pk_decrypt function. It allows for a heap-based buffer overflow and denial of service via crafted ECDH ciphertext. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.7 and a severity of MEDIUM. Affected versions include Libgcrypt versions prior to 1.12.2, 1.10.4, and 1.11.3. Users of affected Libgcrypt versions should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it, including reviewing Libgcrypt configurations and deployments, and tracking exceptions and retesting remediated assets. This vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service, and medium priority should be given to patching or mitigating it. Evidence is limited to public sources and may not reflect the full scope or impact of the vulnerability. Defenders should verify Libgcrypt usage and apply patches or mitigations as needed.

Defensive priority

Medium priority should be given to patching or mitigating this vulnerability, as it could potentially lead to a denial of service.

Recommended defensive actions

• Inventory and assess Libgcrypt usage in your environment.
• Check for and apply vendor patches or updates to Libgcrypt.
• Implement compensating controls, such as monitoring for suspicious activity.
• Consider upgrading to a non-vulnerable version of Libgcrypt.
• Review and verify Libgcrypt configurations and deployments.
• Track exceptions and retest remediated assets.
• Monitor relevant logs and detection systems for exposed assets.

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, including its CVSS score and affected versions of Libgcrypt. Evidence is limited to public sources and may not reflect the full scope or impact of the vulnerability. Defenders should verify Libgcrypt usage and apply patches or mitigations as needed. The vulnerability affects Libgcrypt versions prior to 1.12.2, 1.10.4, and 1.11.3.

Official resources