Prior to version 4.2.15.Final, the default configuration of the Http3ConnectionHandler in the Netty HTTP/3 codec lacks an enforced maximum header… (CVE-2026-44892)
Description
Netty HTTP/3 codec versions prior to 4.2.15.Final have a vulnerability where the default Http3ConnectionHandler configuration does not enforce a maximum header size limit. This allows a malicious peer to send an excessive number of headers, potentially causing memory exhaustion and a Denial of Service via an OutOfMemoryError. The issue is fixed in version 4.2.15.Final.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
pkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-infra-legacy/trustypkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-apps-legacy/xenialpkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/bionicpkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focalpkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/jammypkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/noblepkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=questingpkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=stonkingpkg:deb/ubuntu/netty?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/resoluteRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The Netty network application framework's HTTP/3 codec, specifically the Http3ConnectionHandler, lacks an enforced maximum header size limit by default in versions before 4.2.15.Final. If the peer does not specify the HTTP3_SETTINGS_MAX_FIELD_SECTION_SIZE setting, the implementation defaults to an unbounded header size. This insecure default can be exploited by a malicious client or server to send an extremely large number of headers, leading to memory exhaustion and crashing the application with an OutOfMemoryError. The vulnerability is addressed in Netty version 4.2.15.Final with a patch that enforces a maximum header size limit.
Potential Impact
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by exhausting memory resources on the affected system, resulting in an OutOfMemoryError and potential application crash. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity reported.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade to Netty version 4.2.15.Final or later, which contains a patch that enforces a maximum header size limit in the Http3ConnectionHandler. No other mitigation is indicated.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- UBUNTU-CVE-2026-44892
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.0
- Ecosystems
- ["Ubuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS","Ubuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS","Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS","Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS","Ubuntu:Pro:22.04:LTS","Ubuntu:Pro:24.04:LTS","Ubuntu:25.10","Ubuntu:26.10","Ubuntu:Pro:26.04:LTS"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6ad3f6602cdf04f656666226
Added to database: 10/17/2026, 22:27:44 UTC
Last enriched: 10/18/2026, 01:32:09 UTC
Last updated: 10/18/2026, 01:32:09 UTC
Views: 3
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