CVE-2026-73259

What it is

Mongoose is an embedded web server and network library. Prior to 7.22, a remote attacker can send a crafted percent-encoded request path to a deployment using MG_ENABLE_DIRLIST and persuade a user to visit it. The mg_http_serve_dir() and listdir() path in src/http.c places the decoded request URI into the title and h1 elements without HTML entity encoding. The resulting reflected cross-site scripting executes in the Mongoose origin and can expose session data or perform actions as the victim. This issue is fixed in version 7.22.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2026-08-20 18:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-18 20:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-08-20 18:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-18 20:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-79 · Cross-site scripting

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Cesanta Mongoose < 7.22

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.4

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

Low

Availability

None