CVE-2026-44518: liboqs is a C-language cryptographic library that provides implementations of post-quantum cryptography algori

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-44518?

liboqs: upgrade to newer than 0.15.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-44518 being exploited?

CVE-2026-44518 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-44518 affect?

CVE-2026-44518 affects liboqs. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). liboqs is a C-language cryptographic library that provides implementations of post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Prior to 0.16.0, an out-of-bounds read has been identified in the XMSS and XMSS^MT stateful signature verification code. Whe

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-44518?

Priority 29/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-44518 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting liboqs. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

liboqs is a C-language cryptographic library that provides implementations of post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Prior to 0.16.0, an out-of-bounds read has been identified in the XMSS and XMSS^MT stateful signature verification code. When the verification function is called with a signature buffer shorter than the expected signature size for the given parameter set, the implementation does not validate the caller-supplied length and proceeds t

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 77%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20, CWE-125
Published	2026-05-29
Last modified	2026-07-21

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: openquantumsafe

Last updated 2026-07-21 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-29 19:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-21 18:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openquantumsafe liboqs UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.15.0

Fixed in: newer than 0.15.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy liboqs || rpm -q liboqs || liboqs --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.15.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade liboqs

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade liboqs

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-44518?

liboqs: upgrade to newer than 0.15.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-44518 being exploited?

CVE-2026-44518 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-44518 affect?

CVE-2026-44518 affects liboqs. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). liboqs is a C-language cryptographic library that provides implementations of post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Prior to 0.16.0, an out-of-bounds read has been identified in the XMSS and XMSS^MT stateful signature verification code. Whe

How urgent is CVE-2026-44518?

Priority 29/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-46344 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE liboqs is a C-language cryptographic library that provides implementations of post-quantum cryptography algori

References

← Back to latest CVEs