CVE-2026-5194: Missing hash/digest size and OID checks allow digests smaller than allowed when verifying ECDSA certificates,

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CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-5194 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting wolfssl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Missing hash/digest size and OID checks allow digests smaller than allowed when verifying ECDSA certificates, or smaller than is appropriate for the relevant key type, to be accepted by signature verification functions. This could lead to reduced security of ECDSA certificate-based authentication if the public CA key used is also known. This affects ECDSA/ECC verification when EdDSA or ML-DSA is also enabled.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 53%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-295
Published	2026-04-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): wolfSSL Inc. · Vendor: wolfssl

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-09 20:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wolfssl wolfssl UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.12.0 and < 5.9.1

Fixed in: 5.9.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.12.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade wolfssl

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.12.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wolfssl sudo apt install wolfssl=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.12.0> sudo apt-mark hold wolfssl

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list wolfssl sudo dnf downgrade wolfssl-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.12.0> sudo dnf versionlock add wolfssl

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2026-5194?

wolfssl: upgrade to 5.9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-5194 being exploited?

CVE-2026-5194 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-2026-5194 affect?

CVE-2026-5194 affects wolfssl. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). Missing hash/digest size and OID checks allow digests smaller than allowed when verifying ECDSA certificates, or smaller than is appropriate for the relevant key type, to be accepted by signature verification functions. This could lead to r

How urgent is CVE-2026-5194?

Priority 49/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

wolfSSL vulnerabilities

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References

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