CVE-2020-26281

What it is

async-h1 is an asynchronous HTTP/1.1 parser for Rust (crates.io). There is a request smuggling vulnerability in async-h1 before version 2.3.0. This vulnerability affects any webserver that uses async-h1 behind a reverse proxy, including all such Tide applications. If the server does not read the body of a request which is longer than some buffer length, async-h1 will attempt to read a subsequent request from the body content starting at that offset into the body. One way to exploit this vulnerability would be for an adversary to craft a request such that the body contains a request that would not be noticed by a reverse proxy, allowing it to forge forwarded/x-forwarded headers. If an application trusted the authenticity of these headers, it could be misled by the smuggled request. Another potential concern with this vulnerability is that if a reverse proxy is sending multiple http clients' requests along the same keep-alive connection, it would be possible for the smuggled request to specify a long content and capture another user's request in its body. This content could be captured in a post request to an endpoint that allows the content to be subsequently retrieved by the adversary. This has been addressed in async-h1 2.3.0 and previous versions have been yanked.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data tampering.

Exploit odds

1.0% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2020-12-21 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 03:07 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.8 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-12-21 22:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:07 UTC

Exploit probability

1.0% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-444

Record status

Modified

Affected

• rust-lang async-h1 < 2.3.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.8

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-26281.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-26281. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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