Intel

CVE-2026-71290

httpclient: Improper Certificate Validation (CVE-2026-71290)

criticalEPSS 0.3%

Affected

  • apache/httpclient between 5.4..5.6.4

Description

Improper TLS hostname verification vulnerability in Apache HttpComponents Client 5.4 or newer. HostnameVerificationPolicy#BUILTIN setting has no effect when used with the async version of HttpClient. An attacker that can intercept and modify traffic between the client and the server can impersonate the server by presenting a valid certificate for a different domain.  Please note the classic version of HttpClient is not affected by this vulnerability.  Affected users are recommended to upgrade to at least version 5.6.4, which fixes the issue.

Source: BSI WID PortalBSI CSAFredhat_csafNVD (NIST)cvelistv5

Affected products

The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.

apachehttpclient
5.4 – 5.6.4

Metrics

XIEM Effective CVSS
9.1
Source: cna-v3
EPSS percentile
24.2 %
Elevated — this CVE ranks above at least 10% of all CVEs scored today.
KEV status
—
Show all metrics
Severity
critical
Priority score
75.22
Exploit maturity
no public PoC known
CVSS v3
9.1
EPSS score
0.3 %
Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
Published
2026-08-11 20:33 UTC
CWE
CWE-295

Weakness classes (CWE)

  • CWE-295Base

    Improper Certificate Validation

    The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.

    cwe.mitre.org →

References & sources

Reanalysis & status changes

Chronological NVD audit events for this CVE — reanalyses, CVSS updates, CPE diffs.

  1. CVE Modified2026-09-24 04:17 UTC· security@apache.org
    • Reference: https://lists.apache.org/thread/bhf7g2zwpom2ohvwjjjlonc93br2s8vq
    • Reference: https://lists.apache.org/thread/bhf7g2zwpom2ohvwjjjlonc93br2s8vq
    • Reference Type: https://lists.apache.org/thread/bhf7g2zwpom2ohvwjjjlonc93br2s8vq Types: Mailing List, Release Notes
  2. CVE Modified2026-09-24 04:17 UTC· 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
    • SSVC: {"id":"CVE-2026-71290","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"yes"},{"technical…
    • SSVC: {"id":"CVE-2026-71290","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"yes"},{"technical…
  3. CVE Modified2026-09-24 04:17 UTC· af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
    • Reference: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/13/6
    • Reference: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/13/6
    • Reference Type: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/13/6 Types: Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
  4. Initial Analysis2026-08-17 19:06 UTC· nvd@nist.gov
    • CPE Configuration: OR *cpe:2.3:a:apache:httpclient:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.4 up to (excluding) 5.6.4
    • Reference Type: Apache Software Foundation: https://lists.apache.org/thread/bhf7g2zwpom2ohvwjjjlonc93br2s8vq Types: Mailing List, Release Notes
    • Reference Type: CVE: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/13/6 Types: Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
  5. New CVE Received2026-08-11 21:17 UTC· security@apache.org
    • Affected: Apache HttpComponents Client
    • Description: Improper TLS hostname verification vulnerability in Apache HttpComponents Client 5.4 or newer. HostnameVerificationPolicy#BUILTIN setting has no effect when used with the async version of HttpClient. An attacker that can intercept and modify traffic between the client and the server can impersonate the server by presenting a valid certificate for a different domain.  Please note the classic version of HttpClient is not affected by this vulnerability.  Affected users are recommended to upgrade to at least version 5.6.4, which fixes the issue.
    • CWE: CWE-295
    • Reference: https://lists.apache.org/thread/bhf7g2zwpom2ohvwjjjlonc93br2s8vq

Linked advisories