NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source have a vulnerability in the ngx_http_rewrite_module module. This vulnerability exists when the rewrite directive is followed by a rewrite, if, or set directive and an unnamed Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) capture (for example, $1, $2) with a replacement string that includes a question mark (?). An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond its control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, attackers can execute code on systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) disabled or when the attacker can bypass ASLR.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4589-1 nginx security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6278-1 nginx security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8271-1 nginx vulnerability
Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Thu, 21 May 2026 19:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source have a vulnerability in the ngx_http_rewrite_module module. This vulnerability exists when the rewrite directive is followed by a rewrite, if, or set directive and an unnamed Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) capture (for example, $1, $2) with a replacement string that includes a question mark (?). An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond its control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, for systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR ) disabled, code execution is possible.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated. NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source have a vulnerability in the ngx_http_rewrite_module module. This vulnerability exists when the rewrite directive is followed by a rewrite, if, or set directive and an unnamed Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) capture (for example, $1, $2) with a replacement string that includes a question mark (?). An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond its control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, attackers can execute code on systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) disabled or when the attacker can bypass ASLR.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-131
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Critical


Thu, 14 May 2026 02:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared F5
F5 nginx Open Source
F5 nginx Plus
Vendors & Products F5
F5 nginx Open Source
F5 nginx Plus

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 13 May 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source have a vulnerability in the ngx_http_rewrite_module module. This vulnerability exists when the rewrite directive is followed by a rewrite, if, or set directive and an unnamed Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) capture (for example, $1, $2) with a replacement string that includes a question mark (?). An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond its control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, for systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR ) disabled, code execution is possible.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
Title NGINX ngx_http_rewrite_module vulnerability
Weaknesses CWE-122
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 9.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: f5

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-21T18:28:55.718Z

Reserved: 2026-04-30T23:04:27.955Z

Link: CVE-2026-42945

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-14T18:54:21.853Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-05-13T16:16:50.190

Modified: 2026-05-21T19:16:53.100

Link: CVE-2026-42945

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Critical

Publid Date: 2026-05-13T14:12:43Z

Links: CVE-2026-42945 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-21T21:00:16Z

Weaknesses