CVE-2026-41681 rust-openssl CVE debrief

Who should care

Developers and users of the Rust-OpenSSL library, particularly those using versions between 0.10.39 and 0.10.78, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to upgrade to a patched version. This includes reviewing and updating affected projects, monitoring for potential exploitation attempts, and verifying dependencies.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the rust-openssl library, specifically in the EVP_DigestFinal() function. When called, this function always writes EVP_MD_CTX_size(ctx) to the out buffer. If the out buffer is smaller than that, MdCtxRef::digest_final() writes past its end, usually corrupting the stack. This issue is reachable from safe Rust, making it a significant concern for developers using this library. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.1 and is fixed in version 0.10.78.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to rust-openssl version 0.10.78 or later
• Review and update affected projects to use the patched version
• Monitor for potential exploitation attempts
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
• Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance
• Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-04-24T18:16:29.717Z and was last modified on 2026-07-15T16:51:48.920Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. The vulnerability affects rust-openssl versions from 0.10.39 to before 0.10.78. Developers should verify their dependencies and update to a patched version if necessary. The CVE record provides additional details on the vulnerability, including its CVSS score of 8.1 and its potential impact.

Official resources