CVE-2026-28434

cpp-httplib's default exception handler leaks e.what() to clients via EXCEPTION_WHAT response header

Published Mar 4, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
cpp-httplib is a C++11 single-file header-only cross platform HTTP/HTTPS library. Prior to 0.35.0, when a request handler throws a C++ exception and the application has not registered a custom exception handler via set_exception_handler(), the library catches the exception and writes its message directly into the HTTP response as a header named EXCEPTION_WHAT. This header is sent to whoever made the request, with no authentication check and no special configuration required to trigger it. The behavior is on by default. A developer who does not know to opt in to set_exception_handler() will ship a server that leaks internal exception messages to any client. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.35.0.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses NVD-CWE-noinfo
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:yhirose:cpp-httplib:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Yhirose
Yhirose cpp-httplib
Vendors & Products Yhirose
Yhirose cpp-httplib
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description cpp-httplib is a C++11 single-file header-only cross platform HTTP/HTTPS library. Prior to 0.35.0, when a request handler throws a C++ exception and the application has not registered a custom exception handler via set_exception_handler(), the library catches the exception and writes its message directly into the HTTP response as a header named EXCEPTION_WHAT. This header is sent to whoever made the request, with no authentication check and no special configuration required to trigger it. The behavior is on by default. A developer who does not know to opt in to set_exception_handler() will ship a server that leaks internal exception messages to any client. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.35.0.
Title cpp-httplib's default exception handler leaks e.what() to clients via EXCEPTION_WHAT response header
Weaknesses CWE-200
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Mar 4, 2026, 8:55 PM
Reserved
Feb 27, 2026, 3:54 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Mar 4, 2026, 8:16 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 10:28 AM