CVE-2026-85720
What it is
The AsyncHttpClient (AHC) library allows Java applications to easily execute HTTP requests and asynchronously process HTTP responses. From 2.0.0 until 2.16.1 and 3.0.12, a request using an HTTP proxy to reach an HTTPS origin can expose preemptive origin credentials because NettyRequestFactory and NettyRequestSender.sendRequestWithNewChannel attach Authorization to the plaintext CONNECT request before the TLS tunnel exists. Basic or Digest credentials and per-connection NTLM, Kerberos, or SPNEGO tokens intended for the origin are therefore visible to the proxy and to observers on the client-to-proxy hop. The tunneled request still receives origin Authorization after the tunnel is established, while Proxy-Authorization remains on CONNECT for its intended proxy recipient. This issue is fixed in versions 2.16.1 and 3.0.12.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure.
- Exploit odds
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 5.9 MEDIUM (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-319 · Cleartext transmission
- Record status
- Awaiting Analysis
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.9
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
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-2026-85720.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-85720. 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/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/9dba5ac988b7e750551f59b2eab550b60ac8a0d6
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/d07dbc79f5cf378f63c246f6101d7579ace55acc
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/pull/2234
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/security/advisories/GHSA-xr57-gcx8-52hf
References
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/9dba5ac988b7e750551f59b2eab550b60ac8a0d6
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/commit/d07dbc79f5cf378f63c246f6101d7579ace55acc
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/pull/2234
- https://github.com/AsyncHttpClient/async-http-client/security/advisories/GHSA-xr57-gcx8-52hf