async-http-client: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
CVE-2026-85719 is a high-severity cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability in async-http-client from AsyncHttpClient, 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. Affected async-http-client versions: >= 2.1.0, < 2.16.1; >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.12. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of async-http-client 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.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AsyncHttpClient | async-http-client | >= 2.1.0, < 2.16.1; >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.12 | 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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
The AsyncHttpClient (AHC) library allows Java applications to easily execute HTTP requests and asynchronously process HTTP responses. From 2.1.0 until 2.16.1 and 3.0.12, requests using an authenticated SOCKS proxy can expose the proxy's credentials to the origin because NettyRequestFactory and NettyRequestSender attach Proxy-Authorization without confirming that the request is being sent to an HTTP proxy. With preemptive proxy authentication, the header is attached to a plaintext HTTP request, exposing credentials such as directly reversible Basic credentials to the origin. With the default non-preemptive flow, a hostile origin can return a 407 response and ProxyUnauthorized407Interceptor sends the proxy credentials through the existing SOCKS tunnel, including NTLM, Kerberos, and SPNEGO credentials. Releases before 2.1.0 lack SOCKS proxy support. This issue is fixed in versions 2.16.1 and 3.0.12.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Before transmitting, encrypt the data using reliable, confidentiality-protecting cryptographic protocols.
- When using web applications with SSL, use SSL for the entire session from login to logout, not just for the initial login page.
- When designing hardware platforms, ensure that approved encryption algorithms (such as those recommended by NIST) protect paths from security critical data to trusted user applications.
More Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-319)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/4d887704dec22027310f66c81503226722e9bd23
- github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/718ed2e86126663a88ea3db7a88cbbf93f0069b5
- github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/abaa8bd260beda3b85825ff95069ed11eaf4ca8d
- github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/be439b2ec773d12d61914c238d3e8eeaa6f0ba21
Other vulnerabilities in async-http-client
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
Recent Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
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