CVE-2026-32148 Lockfile checksums not verified in Hex allows dependency integrity bypass
Attackers can bypass dependency integrity checks in Hex by exploiting a type mismatch, allowing malicious code execution via tampered packages.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-32148?
CVE-2026-32148 is a high-severity vulnerability in hexpm hex, published on 30 Apr 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability in hexpm hex (Hex.RemoteConverger module) allows dependency integrity bypass via unverified lockfile checksums.
Hex stores checksums for dependencies in the mix.lock file to ensure reproducible and integrity-checked builds. However, Hex.RemoteConverger.verify_resolved/2 never executes checksum verification because the lock data returned by Hex.Utils.lock/1 uses string-based dependency names, while the verification logic compares against atom-based names. This type mismatch causes the verification code path to be silently skipped. Checksums are still validated when packages are initially downloaded from the registry, but mismatches between the lockfile and resolved dependencies are not detected.
An attacker who can influence cached packages (e.g., via local cache poisoning or a compromised registry) can provide modified dependency contents that will be accepted without detection. The mix.lock file is silently rewritten with the checksum values from the registry, erasing evidence of tampering.
This issue affects hex: from 0.16.0 before 2.4.2.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-32148?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Hex Hex.
How do I fix CVE-2026-32148?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Is CVE-2026-32148 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-32148 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in hexpm hex
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-32148, EEF-CVE-2026-32148, GHSA-hmv9-4mfr-m92v, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-32148.