CVE-2026-42533

NGINX Map directive and Regex matching vulnerability

Published Jul 15, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 9.2 Critical EPSS 6.3% KEV · Not listed
Description
A vulnerability exists in NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source when a map directive uses regex matching and a string expression references the map's regex capture variables before referencing the map output variable. Alternatively, the same result could be achieved by using a non-cacheable variable in a string expression under certain conditions. An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond their control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, attackers can execute code on systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) disabled or when the attacker can bypass ASLR.

Impact:
This vulnerability may allow remote attackers to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) on the NGINX system or to possibly trigger a code execution. There is no control plane exposure; this is a data plane issue only.




 Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4784-1 nginx security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6496-1 nginx security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6496-2 nginx regression update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8563-1 nginx vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8563-3 nginx vulnerability
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8563-5 nginx vulnerability
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared F5
F5 nginx Open Source
F5 nginx Plus
Vendors & Products F5
F5 nginx Open Source
F5 nginx Plus
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A vulnerability exists in NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source when a map directive uses regex matching and a string expression references the map's regex capture variables before referencing the map output variable. Alternatively, the same result could be achieved by using a non-cacheable variable in a string expression under certain conditions. An unauthenticated attacker along with conditions beyond their control can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests. This may cause a heap buffer overflow in the NGINX worker process leading to a restart. Additionally, attackers can execute code on systems with Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) disabled or when the attacker can bypass ASLR. Impact: This vulnerability may allow remote attackers to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) on the NGINX system or to possibly trigger a code execution. There is no control plane exposure; this is a data plane issue only.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
Title NGINX Map directive and Regex matching vulnerability
Weaknesses CWE-122
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 9.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
f5
Published
Updated
Nov 3, 2026, 10:13 PM
Reserved
May 5, 2026, 9:19 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jul 15, 2026, 3:16 PM
Modified
Nov 3, 2026, 11:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Jul 15, 2026, 2:33 PM