actix-http: Improper Handling of Highly Compressed Data (Data Amplification)
CVE-2026-128242 is a high-severity improper handling of highly compressed data (data amplification) vulnerability in actix-http from Actix, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.20.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating actix-http to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.93% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update actix-http to 3.20.1 or a later version.
- Update actix-web to 4.18.2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actix | actix-http | before 3.20.1 | 3.20.1 |
| Actix | actix-web | before 4.18.2 | 4.18.2 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
actix-http before 3.20.1 and actix-web before 4.18.2 contain an unbounded decompression vulnerability in encoding::Decoder that lets remote attackers exhaust memory and CPU via compressed bodies. Attackers can send small highly compressed gzip, deflate, Brotli or zstd request bodies to Json, Form, Bytes or String extractors, or serve them to awc clients, causing denial of service.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Handling of Highly Compressed Data (Data Amplification)
The product does not handle or incorrectly handles a compressed input with a very high compression ratio that produces a large output.
More Improper Handling of Highly Compressed Data (Data Amplification) vulnerabilities (CWE-409)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Recent Improper Handling of Highly Compressed Data (Data Amplification) vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
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