CVE-2026-42533
PoC —A vulnerability exists in NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source when a map directive uses regex matching and a string expression references the map's regex capture variables before referencing the map output variable. Alternatively, the same result could be achieved by using a non-cacheable variable in a string expression under certain conditions. An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond their 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. Impact: This vulnerability may allow remote attackers to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) on the NGINX system or to possibly trigger a code execution. There is no control plane exposure; this is a data plane issue only. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
- Vendors
- f5
- Products
- nginx gateway fabric, nginx ingress controller, nginx plus, waf
- Weakness
- CWE-122
- 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/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
In the news4 stories
USN-8563-5: nginx vulnerability
Ubuntu ships improved nginx fix for CVE-2026-42533 after earlier patch regression; flaw allows remote crash and possible code execution.
USN-8563-5 provides a better fix for CVE-2026-42533 after the original fix from USN-8563-1 was backed out in USN-8563-2 because it caused a regression. The flaw stems from nginx incorrectly handling certain map directives using regex matching and capture variables, allowing a remote attacker to crash nginx, causing denial of service, or possibly execute arbitrary code. The original advisory also described a use-after-free in the ngx_http_ssi_module when configured with Server-Side Includes, proxy_pass, and proxy buffering.