CVE-2026-103636

Apache DataSketches: datasketches-cpp: Out-of-bounds read in VarOpt union deserialization allows denial of service via a truncated sketch

HIGH
7.5
CVSS Score
Published: October 10, 2026 at 10:23 AM UTC
Updated: October 16, 2026 at 04:16 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorApache Datasketches

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Severity
HIGH7.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.4%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

Out-of-bounds read in the VarOpt union deserialization of Apache DataSketches C++ (repo: datasketches-cpp). var_opt_union::deserialize() read the 32-byte preamble of a non-empty union after checking that only 8 bytes were available, so a truncated serialized union could cause a read of up to 24 bytes past the end of the input. For such inputs, the size remaining for the embedded sketch was also computed by an unsigned subtraction that could wrap around, so the embedded sketch's own size checks no longer limited reads to the input. The bytes read can become part of the deserialized union's state. This can cause a crash (denial of service) and could expose adjacent memory contents. This issue affects Apache DataSketches C++: from 2.0.0-incubating before 5.3.0. Only applications that deserialize VarOpt unions from untrusted sources are affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.3.0, which fixes this issue.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

References (3)

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitAutomatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

7.5HIGHCISA-ADP
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
NONE
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusAWAITING ANALYSIS
CWE
CWE-125CWE-191

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