BusyBox httpd pre-compressed auth bypass (CVE2026124738)
CVE-2026-124738 Published on November 11, 2026
Busybox: httpd password rule bypass for pre-compressed .gz files via accept-encoding: gzip
A flaw was found in BusyBox. When the HTTP daemon (httpd) has pre-compressed file support enabled, authentication checks are evaluated only against the requested URL path rather than the pre-compressed file being served. A remote attacker can exploit this flaw by requesting an uncompressed file path while specifying gzip encoding, bypassing password rules configured specifically for the compressed file. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized information disclosure of sensitive files.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-124738 is exploitable with network access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have a small impact on confidentiality, a small impact on integrity and availability.
Timeline
Reported to Red Hat.
Made public. 17 days later.
Weakness Type
Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
A product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-124738
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