CVE-2026-23941: Erlang OTP (inets httpd module) · HTTP Request Smuggling
Affects erlangSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.0 High · fixed in 1:16.b.3-dfsg-1ubuntu2.2+esm2 : patch erlang soon.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 23:24 UTC
Contested
Critical score, yet low EPSS after six months · One scorer or none| CNA (EEF) | CVSS 4.0 | 7.0 |
|---|
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 44% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 1:16.b.3-dfsg-1ubuntu2.2+esm2, 1:18.3-dfsg-1ubuntu3.1+esm3, 1:20.2.2+dfsg-1ubuntu2+esm3 +4
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:LExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 13 Mar 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 13 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSerlangpkg:deb/ubuntu/erlang?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10erlangpkg:deb/ubuntu/erlang?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSerlangpkg:deb/ubuntu/erlang?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSerlangpkg:deb/ubuntu/erlang?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSerlangpkg:deb/ubuntu/erlang?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTSerlangpkg:deb/ubuntu/erlang?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch addressing this vulnerability is available and should be applied promptly. The Ubuntu security advisory USN-8827-1 provides updated package versions that fix this issue. Users should update Erlang OTP to versions 28.4.1 or later, 27.3.4.9 or later, or 26.2.5.18 or later as applicable. After updating, a system reboot is recommended to ensure all changes take effect.
Description
A HTTP Request Smuggling vulnerability exists in the Erlang OTP inets httpd module due to inconsistent handling of duplicate Content-Length headers. The server uses the earliest Content-Length header for body parsing, while common reverse proxies use the last, violating RFC 9112 Section 6.3. This discrepancy can cause front-end/back-end desynchronization, allowing attacker-controlled bytes to be interpreted as the start of a new request. The issue affects multiple versions of Erlang OTP prior to fixed releases. A patch is available to address this vulnerability.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23941 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23941 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/erlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-w4jc-9wpv-pqh7 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/erlang/otp/commit/a4b46336fd25aa100ac602eb9a627aaead7eda18 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/erlang/otp/commit/a761d391d8d08316cbd7d4a86733ba932b73c45b (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/erlang/otp/commit/e775a332f623851385ab6ddb866d9b150612ddf6 (opens in a new tab)
- erlang.org/doc/system/versions.html (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8827-1 (opens in a new tab)