iperf3 DoS via unvalidated JSON control channel
CVE-2026-71217 Published on August 11, 2026
Iperf3: iperf3 server accepts unbounded peer-controlled json parameters enabling remote denial of service via resource exhaustion
A flaw was found in iperf3. A remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted control-channel JSON with oversized numeric parameters, such as `parallel` and `len`, which are not properly validated by the server. This improper input validation can lead to excessive stream and thread creation, as well as large buffer allocations, causing resource exhaustion. Consequently, this can result in a Denial of Service (DoS) on the affected iperf3 server.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-71217 can be exploited with network access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have no impact on confidentiality and integrity, and a high impact on availability.
Timeline
Reported to Red Hat.
Made public. 110 days later.
Weakness Type
Improper Input Validation
The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-71217
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