Plack::Middleware::Security::Common: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers
CVE-2026-9658 is a high-severity improper neutralization of CRLF sequences in HTTP headers vulnerability in Plack::Middleware::Security::Common from RRWO, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 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 0.13.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Plack::Middleware::Security::Common to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.23% 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
- Update Plack::Middleware::Security::Common to 0.13.1 or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRWO | Plack::Middleware::Security::Common | before 0.13.1 | 0.13.1 |
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
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Plack::Middleware::Security::Common versions before 0.13.1 for Perl did not block header injections in request paths. The header injection rule was ineffective at blocking header injections in the request paths unless they were double-encoded, for example, GET /path\r\nHTTP/1.1\r\nHost: secret.example.com Note that it is unclear whether request paths with CRLF followed by additional headers would be blocked by reverse proxies, or how they would be processed by Plack-based servers.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers
The product receives data from an HTTP agent/component (e.g., web server, proxy, browser, etc.), but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes CR and LF characters before the data is included in outgoing HTTP headers.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Construct HTTP headers very carefully, avoiding the use of non-validated input data.
- Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
More Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers vulnerabilities (CWE-113)
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
Other references
Recent Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
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