squid: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests
CVE-2026-61642 is a high-severity inconsistent interpretation of HTTP requests vulnerability in squid from Squid-cache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected squid versions: >= 3.3.0.1, < 7.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.04% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 81% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of squid you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squid-cache | squid | >= 3.3.0.1, < 7.6 | Not stated |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Squid is a caching proxy for the Web. From 3.3.0.1 to before 7.6, due to an improper enforcement of behavioral workflow bug, Squid is vulnerable to a Request Smuggling attack against HTTP/1.1 Transfer-Encoding. HTTP header parsing (`src/HttpHeader.cc`) accepted the bare` Transfer-Encoding:` identity form, which the HTTP specification prohibits because any transfer coding must be wrapped within chunked encoding. This problem allows a trusted client to perform an HTTP Request Smuggling attack when HTTP/1.1 is used, bypassing security mechanisms that may be in place between attacker and Squid. When there is an HTTP cache operating prior to the affected Squid, this Request Smuggling attack also allows the attacker to poison that web cache and store arbitrary malicious content at any URL for delivery to other clients' future requests. This issue is fixed in version 7.6.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests
The product acts as an intermediary HTTP agent (such as a proxy or firewall) in the data flow between two entities such as a client and server, but it does not interpret malformed HTTP requests or responses in ways that are consistent with how the messages will be processed by those entities that are at the ultimate destination.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a web server that employs a strict HTTP parsing procedure, such as Apache.
- Terminate the client session after each request.
More Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests vulnerabilities (CWE-444)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in squid
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests vulnerabilities
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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