CVE-2026-42208
Summary
LiteLLM versions 1.81.16 to before 1.83.7 allow an unauthenticated attacker to send a specially crafted Authorization header to an LLM API route to read and modify data in the proxy's database, leading to unauthorised access to the proxy and its managed credentials.
Shortened by a language model. Every number, version and name in it is checked against the description below, and it is only shown when it is clearly shorter.
Description
LiteLLM is a proxy server (AI Gateway) to call LLM APIs in OpenAI (or native) format. From version 1.81.16 to before version 1.83.7, a database query used during proxy API key checks mixed the caller-supplied key value into the query text instead of passing it as a separate parameter. An unauthenticated attacker could send a specially crafted Authorization header to any LLM API route (for example POST /chat/completions) and reach this query through the proxy's error-handling path. An attacker could read data from the proxy's database and may be able to modify it, leading to unauthorised access to the proxy and the credentials it manages. This issue has been patched in version 1.83.7.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- In the wild
- CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- 2026-05-08 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- 2026-05-11 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
- Exploit odds: 89.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 9.3 CRITICAL (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
- It meets the bar for Drop everything: critical, and exploited or very likely to be.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Added to CISA KEV
- 2026-05-08
- Exploit probability
- 89.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-89 · SQL injection
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Litellm < 1.83.7
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 9.3
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
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-2026-42208.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-42208. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm/releases/tag/v1.83.7-stable
- https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm/security/advisories/GHSA-r75f-5x8p-qvmc
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2463965
References
- https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm/releases/tag/v1.83.7-stable
- https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm/security/advisories/GHSA-r75f-5x8p-qvmc
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-42208
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2463965
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-42208.json
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-42208