Elasticsearch DoS via Unbounded Recursion (Intervals Query)
CVE-2026-72679 Published on August 13, 2026
Uncontrolled Recursion in Elasticsearch Leading to Denial of Service
Elasticsearch does not apply its configurable input length restriction to a user-supplied pattern accepted by an intervals query. Compiling a deeply nested pattern drives unbounded recursion that exhausts the thread stack and raises a fatal error, terminating the Elasticsearch node process and causing a denial of service for that node. An authenticated user holding only read-only privileges on a single searchable index can trigger the condition with one small search request.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-72679 can be exploited with network access, and requires small amount of user privileges. 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.
Weakness Type
What is a Stack Exhaustion Vulnerability?
The product does not properly control the amount of recursion which takes place, consuming excessive resources, such as allocated memory or the program stack.
CVE-2026-72679 has been classified to as a Stack Exhaustion vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-72679
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Affected Versions
Elasticsearch:- Version 8.19.0, <= 8.19.19 is affected.
- Version 9.0.0, <= 9.4.4 is affected.