CVE-2026-53525 — HIGH (7.4)

Vulnerability Description

WeeChat (Wee Enhanced Environment for Chat) is a free chat client. In versions 0.3.1 through 4.9.0, the WeeChat relay authentication uses non-constant-time string comparison functions (weechat_strcasecmp and strcmp) to verify password hashes and plaintext passwords. An attacker can exploit timing differences to extract the server-computed hash character by character, then authenticate using the correct hash without knowing the password. Version 4.9.1 fixes the issue.

CVSS Score

7.4

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector

NETWORK

Attack Complexity

HIGH

Privileges Required

NONE

User Interaction

NONE

Scope

UNCHANGED

Confidentiality

NONE

Integrity

HIGH

Availability

HIGH

Related Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE-208

References

https://github.com/weechat/weechat/security/advisories/GHSA-vhv8-g2r9-cwcc

FAQ

What is CVE-2026-53525?

CVE-2026-53525 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.4 (HIGH). WeeChat (Wee Enhanced Environment for Chat) is a free chat client. In versions 0.3.1 through 4.9.0, the WeeChat relay authentication uses non-constant-time string comparison functions (weechat_strcase...

How severe is CVE-2026-53525?

CVE-2026-53525 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.4/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.

Is there a patch for CVE-2026-53525?

Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.