# CVE-2026-0965: libssh Denial of Service via arbitrary file access in configuration parsing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-0965-libssh-denial-of-service-via-arbitrary-file-access-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-03-26. Updated: 2026-05-19  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-0965 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.3 · Published 2026-03-26

libssh is a software library used by applications to communicate securely using the SSH protocol. A vulnerability exists where the library may attempt to open non-standard or excessively large files while reading its configuration settings. A local attacker could exploit this to cause a system slowdown or crash (Denial of Service) by forcing the application to access dangerous system components like block devices or pipes.

Technologies: [Libssh](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/libssh), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-10-0), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-9-0). Vendors: [Libssh](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/libssh), [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-0965 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-0965 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-0965?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.3, published 26 March 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Libssh up to (including) 0.11.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-0965?** A patch was published on 2026-05-19: Red Hat released security update RHSA-2026:18160 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-0965 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-0965?** Check whether you run Libssh, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A vulnerability classified as External Control of File Name or Path (CWE-73) exists in libssh's configuration parsing logic. The library fails to validate that configuration files (including those loaded via ssh_config_parse_file, ssh_bind_config_parse_file, or globbed includes) are regular files of a reasonable size. A local attacker with the ability to provide a malicious configuration file or exploit a system misconfiguration can force the library to open block devices, FIFOs, named pipes, or extremely large files. This can lead to a Denial of Service by exhausting system resources or hanging the process. The fix involves restricting the library to only read regular files and enforcing a 16MB size limit on configuration files.

## Affected products

- libssh libssh up to (including) 0.11.3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0

## Timeline

- 2026-02-04: other: Reported to Red Hat Bugzilla
- 2026-03-26: disclosed: Initial NVD publication
- 2026-05-19: patched: Red Hat released security update RHSA-2026:18160

## References

- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18160](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18160)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-0965](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-0965)
- [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2436980](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2436980)

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