# CVE-2026-48141: NI grpc-device memory leak in BeginSidebandStream

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48141-ni-grpc-device-memory-leak-in-beginsidebandstream  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-19. Updated: 2026-06-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-48141 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-06-19

A memory leak exists in the NI gRPC Device Server, a component used to facilitate remote communication with National Instruments hardware. An attacker can exploit this flaw to consume all available system memory, eventually causing the software to crash or become unresponsive. This results in a denial-of-service condition that can disrupt automated testing or industrial control operations.

Technologies: [NI Grpc-Device](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/grpc-device), [NI InstrumentStudio](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/instrumentstudio). Vendors: [NI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ni).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-48141 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-48141 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-48141?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 19 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** NI Grpc-Device <= 2.17.0; NI InstrumentStudio <= 26.3.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-48141?** A patch was published on 2026-06-19: Fixed in version 2.18.0 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-48141 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-48141?** Check whether you run NI Grpc-Device or NI InstrumentStudio 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 memory leak (CWE-401) exists in the 'BeginSidebandStream' function of the NI gRPC Device Server. The vulnerability is triggered when the software fails to release allocated memory after its effective lifetime during sideband streaming operations. An authenticated remote attacker can exploit this by repeatedly initiating specific streaming requests, leading to gradual memory exhaustion and an eventual denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The attack complexity is rated as high, likely due to specific timing or environmental requirements to successfully trigger the leak. The issue is addressed in NI grpc-device version 2.18.0.

## Affected products

- NI grpc-device <= 2.17.0
- NI InstrumentStudio <= 26.3.0

## Timeline

- 2026-06-19: disclosed
- 2026-06-19: advisory
- 2026-06-19: patched: Fixed in version 2.18.0

## References

- [https://github.com/ni/grpc-device/security/advisories/GHSA-j4qc-5v3f-rf87](https://github.com/ni/grpc-device/security/advisories/GHSA-j4qc-5v3f-rf87)
- [https://www.ni.com/en/support/security/available-critical-and-security-updates-for-ni-software/2026/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-ni-grpc-device-server.html](https://www.ni.com/en/support/security/available-critical-and-security-updates-for-ni-software/2026/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-ni-grpc-device-server.html)

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