CVE-2026-40701
NGINX ngx_http_ssl_module vulnerability
No known exploitation. EPSS puts it in the 25th percentile. A vendor fix is available.
What to do
The vendor has published a fix. Version details are below where the sources state them.
What it is
From the CVE record
NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source have a vulnerability in the ngx_http_ssl_module module when the ssl_verify_client directive is set to "on" or "optional," and the ssl_ocsp directive is set to "on" or the leaf parameters are configured with a resolver. With this configuration, an unauthenticated attacker can send requests along with conditions beyond its control that may cause a heap-use-after-free error in the NGINX worker process. This vulnerability may result in limited modification of data or the NGINX worker process restarting. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
In plain language
No plain-language summary for this CVE yet.
Exploitation
Where each signal puts this CVE on the scale from published to confirmed exploited.
- CISA KEV
Not in the catalog. CISA has not confirmed exploitation.
- Public exploits
No public exploit or proof of concept found in the sources we track.
- EPSS
0.3% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, which ranks it in the 25th percentile of scored CVEs.
Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST.org. A probability, not a confirmation.
Lifecycle
7 events over 43 days, from the signal feeds we watch.
- OpenVAS check added
- Patch availableworkaround available, record updated
- Publishedweakness classified, att&ck mapped
Affected products
- NGINX PlusNetworking Infrastructure
- NGINX Instance ManagerNetworking Infrastructure
- F5 WAF for NGINXNetworking Infrastructure
- NGINX App Protect WAFNetworking Infrastructure
- F5 DoS for NGINXNetworking Infrastructure
- NGINX App Protect DoSNetworking Infrastructure
- NGINX Gateway FabricNetworking Infrastructure
- NGINX Ingress ControllerNetworking Infrastructure
- dosNetworking Infrastructure / network-management
- nginx gateway fabricNetworking Infrastructure / load-balancer-proxy
- nginx ingress controllerNetworking Infrastructure / load-balancer-proxy
- nginx instance managerNetworking Infrastructure / load-balancer-proxy
- NGINX Open SourceNetworking Infrastructure / load-balancer-proxy
- NGINX PlusNetworking Infrastructure / load-balancer-proxy
- wafNetworking Infrastructure / network-management
And 4 more affected products. See all after sign-in
Technical detail
CVSS 3.1 vector
Open in the CVSS calculatorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L
Scored 4.8 by NVD.
How it is reached
- Attack Vector NetworkExploitable remotely over the network without any special conditions
- Attack Complexity HighRequires specific conditions like a race condition or non-default configuration
- Privileges Required NoneNo authentication required — anyone can exploit this
- User Interaction NoneNo user interaction needed — fully automated exploitation
Scope
- Scope UnchangedImpact is limited to the vulnerable component itself
Impact if exploited
- Confidentiality LowSome restricted information is disclosed, but limited in scope
- Integrity NoneNo integrity impact
- Availability LowReduced performance or intermittent disruption of service
Weaknesses
ATT&CK techniques
Mapped from the weaknesses above (CWE to ATT&CK), not observed in attacks.
- Initial AccessT1190Exploit Public-Facing Applicationhigh confidence
- Privilege EscalationT1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalationhigh confidence
Sources
References in the record
- my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000161021
- my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000161021&
- angie.software/angie/docs/pro_changes/&
And 4 more references. See all after sign-in
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