Rsyslog: Heap buffer overflow in imhttp plugin Basic Authentication handling
rsyslog · rsyslog
Official source article: GitHub GHSA-947W-69PH-MC2R ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
8.2HighCVSS 4.0
Recommended action
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Published severityHigh→Operational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 22 Sep 2026
Evidence used
No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
EPSS is 0.85% for the current model date.
Compensating controls
Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
Confirm that the asset runs rsyslog rsyslog and falls inside the recorded affected range.
Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Cross-source reconciliation
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Debian Security Tracker: 2 affected package states with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
Release-specific package status
Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
4 package states
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
Distribution release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Debian trixietrixie · source
rsyslog
Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open.
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
1 current
CVE-2026-55556 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securityrsyslog: Rsyslog: Denial of Service via heap buffer overflow in imhttp module
100 known not affected
The vendor explicitly states that these products are not affected by this CVE.
rsyslog as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-crypto as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-doc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-elasticsearch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-gnutls as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-gssapi as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-kafka as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-mmaudit as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-mmfields as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-mmjsonparse as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-mmkubernetes as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
rsyslog-mmnormalize as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Summary
A flaw was found in Rsyslog, a system for log processing, specifically in its optional imhttp module. An attacker can remotely trigger a heap buffer overflow by sending a specially crafted, oversized credential to an imhttp endpoint configured for Basic Authentication. This can lead to a system crash, disrupting log collection. This vulnerability affects deployments that have installed, loaded, and use the imhttp module with Basic Authentication.
Remediation
No remediation text is recorded.
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2026-83184
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. From 8.2110.0 until 8.2604.0, the optional imhttp module's parse_auth_header function in contrib/imhttp/imhttp.c allocates a zero-byte heap buffer with calloc(0, len) when an HTTP Basic Authorization value exceeds its fixed work buffer, then passes that pointer to apr_base64_decode. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send an oversized encoded credential to an imhttp endpoint configured for Basic Authentication, causing decoded data to overwrite adjacent heap memory before credential validation. Deployments that do not install, load, and use imhttp with Basic Authentication are not affected. The demonstrated impact is a process crash that interrupts log collection, and code execution has not been demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 8.2604.0.
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
8.2 · CVSS 4.0
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch only the product branches with a verified fix
High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 2 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product
01
What, why and how
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. From 8.2110.0 until 8.2604.0, the optional imhttp module's parse_auth_header function in contrib/imhttp/imhttp.c allocates a zero-byte heap buffer with calloc(0, len) when an HTTP Basic Authorization value exceeds its fixed work buffer, then passes that pointer to apr_base64_decode. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send an oversized encoded credential to an imhttp endpoint configured for Basic Authentication, causing decoded data to overwrite adjacent heap memory before credential validation. Deployments that do not install, load, and use imhttp with Basic Authentication are not affected. The demonstrated impact is a process crash that interrupts log collection, and code execution has not been demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 8.2604.0.
What
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. From 8.2110.0 until 8.2604.0, the optional imhttp module's parse_auth_header function in contrib/imhttp/imhttp.c allocates a zero-byte heap buffer with calloc(0, len) when an HTTP Basic Authorization value exceeds its fixed work buffer, then passes that pointer to apr_base64_decode. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send an oversized encoded credential to an imhttp endpoint configured for Basic Authentication, causing decoded data to overwrite adjacent heap memory before credential validation. Deployments that do not install, load, and use imhttp with Basic Authentication are not affected. The demonstrated impact is a process crash that interrupts log collection, and code execution has not been demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 8.2604.0.
Why
A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.
What
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. From 8.2110.0 until 8.2604.0, the optional imhttp module's parse_auth_header function in contrib/imhttp/imhttp.c allocates a zero-byte heap buffer with calloc(0, len) when an HTTP Basic Authorization value exceeds its fixed work buffer, then passes that pointer to apr_base64_decode. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send an oversized encoded credential to an imhttp endpoint configured for Basic Authentication, causing decoded data to overwrite adjacent heap memory before credential validation. Deployments that do not install, load, and use imhttp with Basic Authentication are not affected. The demonstrated impact is a process crash that interrupts log collection, and code execution has not been demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 8.2604.0.
Why
A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
CISA Vulnrichment records proof-of-concept exploitation in its SSVC data. BlackTree has not independently executed or validated exploit material.
Likely attack path
a network path → Heap-based Buffer Overflow → disrupt the affected service
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Not a CVSS 4.0 base metric
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-122: Heap-based Buffer Overflow. A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 4.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.ATPresentAttack requirements: A particular deployment or execution condition must be present.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.VCNoneVulnerable-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VINoneVulnerable-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VAHighVulnerable-system availability: A successful attack can cause a major loss.SCNoneSubsequent-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SINoneSubsequent-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SANoneSubsequent-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
Stolen credentials, tokens and legitimate administration functions may provide continued access without deploying a large custom toolset.
NetworkUnauthenticatedDenial of serviceCWE-122Public exploit reference
A
Official authority intelligence
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-83184Official EUVD mapping
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. From 8.2110.0 until 8.2604.0, the optional imhttp module's parse_auth_header function in contrib/imhttp/imhttp.c allocates a zero-byte heap buffer with calloc(0, len) when an HTTP Basic Authorization value exceeds its fixed work buffer, then passes that pointer to apr_base64_decode. An unauthenticated remote attacker can send an oversized encoded credential to an imhttp endpoint configured for Basic Authentication, causing decoded data to overwrite adjacent heap memory before credential validation. Deployments that do not install, load, and use imhttp with Basic Authentication are not affected. The demonstrated impact is a process crash that interrupts log collection, and code execution has not been demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 8.2604.0.
Official EUVD record ↗BSI · German · WID-SEC-2026-2045rsyslog: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service
Ein entfernter, anonymer Angreifer kann eine Schwachstelle in rsyslog ausnutzen, um einen Denial of Service Angriff durchzuführen.
Official advisory ↗CSIRT Italia · Italian · rsyslog-poc-pubbliche-per-lo-sfruttamento-delle-cve-2026-55556-e-cve-2026-61548Rsyslog: PoC pubbliche per lo sfruttamento delle CVE-2026-55556 e CVE-2026-61548
Nel dettaglio, la vulnerabilità CVE-2026-55556 - di tipo "Denial of Service" e con score CVSS v4.0 8.2- presente nel modulo opzionale imhttp , è causata da una gestione non corretta della memoria durante l'elaborazione dell'autenticazione HTTP Basic. Un utente malintenzionato remoto non autenticato, tramite richieste HTTP opportunamente predisposte, potrebbe provocare la corruzione della memoria del processo rsyslog e causarne l'arresto con conseguente interruzione della raccolta dei log.
La vulnerabilità CVE-2026-61548 - di tipo "Denial of Service" e con score CVSS v3.1 8.1 - riguarda invece il modulo opzionale mmpstrucdata , ed è dovuta all'assenza di adeguati controlli sui limiti di un buffer utilizzato per l'elaborazione di messaggi RFC5424. Un utente malintenzionato remoto potrebbe causare una sovrascrittura della memoria stack e provocare l'arresto del servizio con interruzione delle attività di logging.
Per entrambe le vulnerabilità, la corruzione della memoria potrebbe, in linea teorica, consentire anche l’esecuzione di codice arbitrario. Tale possibilità non è tuttavia dimostrata e va pertanto considerata un impatto potenziale, non confermato.
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 18 Sept 2026 · Last source change 22 Sept 2026, 15:04 UTC · CWE-122 · Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-19
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-83184
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD awaiting enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
Before
rsyslog as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-crypto as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-doc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-elasticsearch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-gnutls as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-gssapi as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-kafka as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mmaudit as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mmfields as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mmjsonparse as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mmkubernetes as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mmnormalize as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mmsnmptrapd as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-mysql as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-omamqp1 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-openssl as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-pgsql as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-relp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-snmp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog-udpspoof as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rsyslog.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10; rhel9/rsyslog as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-crypto as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-doc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-elasticsearch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-gnutls as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-gssapi as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-kafka as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; rsyslog-logrotate as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; and 14 more
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.