---
id: CVE-2026-121968
title: Netrek-client-cow through 3.3.3 Out-of-Bounds Read via SP_S_MESSAGE Packets
summary: >-
  Netrek-client-cow through 3.3.3 contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability
  in short.c handleSMessage() that allows malicious servers to crash clients via
  an unchecked m_recpt index. Attackers controlling a Netrek server or
  intercepting…
severity: medium
cvss: 6.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-129
vendor: quozl
product: netrek-client-cow
affected:
  - netrek-client-cow <= 3.3.3
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-11-05T19:25:50.942563Z'
published: '2026-11-04'
updated: '2026-11-05'
sourceUpdated: '2026-11-05T19:26:30.000Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-121968'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/quozl/netrek-client-cow/commit/fb322e74abee3b0b76a9c5a31df6aab5585d3127
    label: Patch Commit
  - url: 'https://github.com/quozl/netrek-client-cow'
  - url: 'https://github.com/quozl/netrek-client-cow/blob/3.3.3/short.c#L942-L943'
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netrek-client-cow-through-3.3.3-out-of-bounds-read-via-sp-s-message-packets
    label: >-
      VulnCheck Advisory: Netrek-client-cow through 3.3.3 Out-of-Bounds Read via
      SP_S_MESSAGE Packets
tags:
  - cve.org
epss: 0.00325
epssPercentile: 0.25734
ingestedAt: '2026-11-05T22:38:31.546Z'
---

## Overview

Netrek-client-cow through 3.3.3 contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in short.c handleSMessage() that allows malicious servers to crash clients via an unchecked m_recpt index. Attackers controlling a Netrek server or intercepting the plaintext TCP connection can send SP_S_MESSAGE packets with m_recpt of 36 or more, reading past players[] and shipnos to deny service.

## Affected

- `netrek-client-cow <= 3.3.3`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.