CVE-2026-46527 PUBLISHED

cpp-httplib: Malicious `X-Forwarded-For` Under Trusted-Proxy Configuration Triggers Empty `vector::front()`, Leading to Undefined Behavior and Server Crash

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 14.05.2026 Published: 29.05.2026 Updated: 29.05.2026

cpp-httplib is a C++11 single-file header-only cross platform HTTP/HTTPS library. Prior to 0.44.0, When the server has called Server::set_trusted_proxies() with a non-empty trusted-proxy list, an attacker can send an HTTP request that includes an X-Forwarded-For header whose value parses to no valid IP segments. The code path then executes get_client_ip(), which calls front() on an empty std::vector—undefined behavior in C++. On typical implementations this manifests as abnormal process termination (denial of service). With Sanitizers enabled, you get an explicit runtime diagnostic. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.44.0.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CVSS Score: 8.7

Product Status

Vendor yhirose
Product cpp-httplib
Versions
  • Version < 0.44.0 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference CWE