Description
The compile_branch function in PCRE before 8.37 allows context-dependent attackers to compile incorrect code, cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds heap read and crash), or possibly have other unspecified impact via a regular expression with a group containing a forward reference repeated a large number of times within a repeated outer group that has a zero minimum quantifier.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 12 | pcre3 | 2:8.35-7.2 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | pcre3 | 1:8.31-2ubuntu2.1 | USN-2943-1, USN-2694-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 2 | rh-php56 +2 | 2.3-1.el6 | RHSA-2016:2750 |
| RHEL 2 | rh-php56-php +27 | 5.6.25-1.el6 | RHSA-2016:2750 |
| RHEL 2 | rh-php56-php-pear | 1:1.9.5-4.el6 | RHSA-2016:2750 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP2 | pcre | 8.39-5.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2971-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | pcre | 8.39-5.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2971-1 |
| SLES 12 | mariadb | 10.0.20-18.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:1273-1 |
| SLES 12 | pcre | 8.39-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1 |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | pcre | 8.39-5.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2971-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | pcre | 8.39-5.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2971-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | mariadb | 10.0.20-18.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:1273-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | pcre | 8.39-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | php5 | 5.6.28-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10344-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | php7 | 7.0.14-1.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10290-1 |
Advisories 8
- RHSA-2016:2750 Red Hat Security Advisory: rh-php56 security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 5, 2026
- USN-2943-1 pcre3 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-2694-1 pcre3 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10290-1 apache2-mod_php7-7.0.14-1.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10344-1 apache2-mod_php5-5.6.28-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:3161-1 Security update for pcre SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2971-1 Security update for pcre SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:1273-1 Security update for mariadb SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025