CVE-2026-40490
Vulnérabilité moyenne dans async-http-client (AsyncHttpClient)
Description
The AsyncHttpClient (AHC) library allows Java applications to easily execute HTTP requests and asynchronously process HTTP responses. When redirect following is enabled (followRedirect(true)), versions of AsyncHttpClient prior to 3.0.9 and 2.14.5 forward Authorization and Proxy-Authorization headers along with Realm credentials to arbitrary redirect targets regardless of domain, scheme, or port changes. This leaks credentials on cross-domain redirects and HTTPS-to-HTTP downgrades. Additionally, even when stripAuthorizationOnRedirect is set to true, the Realm object containing plaintext credentials is still propagated to the redirect request, causing credential re-generation for Basic and Digest authentication schemes via NettyRequestFactory. An attacker who controls a redirect target (via open redirect, DNS rebinding, or MITM on HTTP) can capture Bearer tokens, Basic auth credentials, or any other Authorization header value. The fix in versions 3.0.9 and 2.14.5 automatically strips Authorization and Proxy-Authorization headers and clears Realm credentials whenever a redirect crosses origin boundaries (different scheme, host, or port) or downgrades from HTTPS to HTTP. For users unable to upgrade, set `(stripAuthorizationOnRedirect(true))` in the client config and avoid using Realm-based authentication with redirect following enabled. Note that `(stripAuthorizationOnRedirect(true))` alone is insufficient on versions prior to 3.0.9 and 2.14.5 because the Realm bypass still re-generates credentials. Alternatively, disable redirect following (`followRedirect(false)`) and handle redirects manually with origin validation.
Gravité et risque d'exploitation
CVE-2026-40490 obtient un score CVSS de 6.8/10, soit une gravité moyenne. Selon le modèle EPSS, la probabilité qu'elle soit exploitée dans les 30 prochains jours est de 0.48 %, ce qui la place devant 40.1 % des CVE référencées.
Que faire ?
- Vérifiez si async-http-client (versions < 2.14.5, >= 3.0.0.Beta1, < 3.0.9) est présent sur votre parc.
- Appliquez le correctif ou la version corrigée indiqués dans les références de l'éditeur.
- À défaut de correctif, limitez l'exposition (filtrage réseau, désactivation du composant).
- Automatisez la détection : les agents CVE Heimdall (gratuits, open source) corrèlent l'inventaire de vos serveurs avec la base CVE.
Références
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/security/advisories/GHSA-cmxv-58fp-fm3g
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/6b2fbb7f8
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/ae557ad35246721c09dafb2976609cd0004e78ae
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/releases/tag/async-http-client-project-2.14.5
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/releases/tag/async-http-client-project-3.0.9
