CVE-2026-42945

Published May 13, 2026

Last updated 12 hours ago

Overview

AI description

Automated description summarized from trusted sources.

CVE-2026-42945 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability found in the `ngx_http_rewrite_module` of NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source. This flaw occurs when a `rewrite` directive is immediately followed by another `rewrite`, `if`, or `set` directive, and an unnamed Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) capture (such as `$1` or `$2`) is used within a replacement string that contains a question mark (`?`). An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests. This can lead to a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process, causing it to restart. Additionally, on systems where Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) is disabled, this vulnerability could potentially allow for code execution.

Description
NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source have a vulnerability in the ngx_http_rewrite_module module. This vulnerability exists when the rewrite directive is followed by a rewrite, if, or set directive and an unnamed Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) capture (for example, $1, $2) with a replacement string that includes a question mark (?). An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond its control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, for systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR ) disabled, code execution is possible.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
Source
f5sirt@f5.com
NVD status
Awaiting Analysis

Risk scores

CVSS 4.0

Type
Secondary
Base score
9.2
Impact score
-
Exploitability score
-
Vector string
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Severity
CRITICAL

CVSS 3.1

Type
Secondary
Base score
8.1
Impact score
5.9
Exploitability score
2.2
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity
HIGH

Weaknesses

f5sirt@f5.com
CWE-122

Social media

Hype score is a measure of social media activity compared against trending CVEs from the past 12 months. Max score 100.

Hype score

28