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Full vulnerability report · 2026
CVE-2026-61721High confidence

FluidSynth: Heap-based buffer overrun for DLS samples

FluidSynth · fluidsynth

Official source article: GitHub GHSA-59PH-RX8R-8P4J ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.

8.0HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 7 days

High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:High, unchanged from published severity.unchanged

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • EPSS is 0.19% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
  • Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs FluidSynth fluidsynth and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 30 daysRemediation target: Within 180 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

4 package states
Repository candidate not checked

A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.

Distribution releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Debian trixietrixie · sourcefluidsynthNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcefluidsynthNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcefluidsynthVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.5.6+dfsg-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcefluidsynthVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.5.6+dfsg-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Direct vendor intelligence

Authoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories

Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.

1 current
CVE-2026-61721 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product SecurityFluidSynth: FluidSynth: Memory Disclosure and Denial of Service via Crafted DLS File
1 known not affected

The vendor explicitly states that these products are not affected by this CVE.

  • All currently supported Red Hat products
Summary
A flaw was found in FluidSynth, a software synthesizer. The native DLS (Downloadable Sounds) loader, responsible for processing sound samples, does not properly validate certain values within crafted DLS files. This oversight allows an attacker to define sample loop points that extend beyond the allocated memory buffer. Consequently, this can result in out-of-bounds reads during audio processing, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive memory information and causing the application to become unavailable (denial of service).
Remediation
No remediation text is recorded.
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2026-83375

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

FluidSynth is a software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications. From 2.5.0 until 2.5.6, the native DLS loader assigns file-controlled wsmp.loop_start and wsmp.loop_length values to samples without calling fluid_sample_validate() or fluid_sample_sanitize_loop(). A crafted DLS file can place sample loop points beyond the sample buffer, causing out-of-bounds reads during audio rendering, undefined behavior, possible memory disclosure, and denial of service. Builds compiled with the CMake option enable-native-dls set to OFF do not expose the affected parser. This issue is fixed in version 2.5.6.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
8.0 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days

High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

FluidSynth is a software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications. From 2.5.0 until 2.5.6, the native DLS loader assigns file-controlled wsmp.loop_start and wsmp.loop_length values to samples without calling fluid_sample_validate() or fluid_sample_sanitize_loop(). A crafted DLS file can place sample loop points beyond the sample buffer, causing out-of-bounds reads during audio rendering, undefined behavior, possible memory disclosure, and denial of service. Builds compiled with the CMake option enable-native-dls set to OFF do not expose the affected parser. This issue is fixed in version 2.5.6.

What

FluidSynth is a software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications. From 2.5.0 until 2.5.6, the native DLS loader assigns file-controlled wsmp.loop_start and wsmp.loop_length values to samples without calling fluid_sample_validate() or fluid_sample_sanitize_loop(). A crafted DLS file can place sample loop points beyond the sample buffer, causing out-of-bounds reads during audio rendering, undefined behavior, possible memory disclosure, and denial of service. Builds compiled with the CMake option enable-native-dls set to OFF do not expose the affected parser. This issue is fixed in version 2.5.6.

Why

A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().

How

An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.

What

FluidSynth is a software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications. From 2.5.0 until 2.5.6, the native DLS loader assigns file-controlled wsmp.loop_start and wsmp.loop_length values to samples without calling fluid_sample_validate() or fluid_sample_sanitize_loop(). A crafted DLS file can place sample loop points beyond the sample buffer, causing out-of-bounds reads during audio rendering, undefined behavior, possible memory disclosure, and denial of service. Builds compiled with the CMake option enable-native-dls set to OFF do not expose the affected parser. This issue is fixed in version 2.5.6.

Why

A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().

How

An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
None recorded

No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.

Likely attack path
local access → Heap-based Buffer Overflow → disrupt the affected service
Attack surface
Local
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-122 ↗

CWE-122: Heap-based Buffer Overflow. A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.ILowIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
The issue can support a local privilege or sandbox boundary transition; normal system utilities may then be available in the gained context.
UnauthenticatedDenial of serviceCWE-122
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-83375Official EUVD mapping

FluidSynth is a software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications. From 2.5.0 until 2.5.6, the native DLS loader assigns file-controlled wsmp.loop_start and wsmp.loop_length values to samples without calling fluid_sample_validate() or fluid_sample_sanitize_loop(). A crafted DLS file can place sample loop points beyond the sample buffer, causing out-of-bounds reads during audio rendering, undefined behavior, possible memory disclosure, and denial of service. Builds compiled with the CMake option enable-native-dls set to OFF do not expose the affected parser. This issue is fixed in version 2.5.6.

Official EUVD record ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
fluidsynth: 2.5.0, < 2.5.6
Fixed
2.5.6.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 18 Sept 2026 · Last source change 18 Sept 2026, 20:21 UTC · CWE-122 · Heap-based Buffer Overflow

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-19
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-83375
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD awaiting enrichment

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2026-83375 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2026-83375"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  2. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: added remediation: github.com/GHSA-59ph-rx8r-8p4j; removed remediation: github.com/2354c2a9acdb26de7cdcd37c903ee108f46c0a7d.
    Before
    remediation: github.com/2354c2a9acdb26de7cdcd37c903ee108f46c0a7d
    After
    remediation: github.com/GHSA-59ph-rx8r-8p4j
    CNA ↗
  3. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2026-61721 · cve.blacktree.nl