netrc credential leak with reused proxy connection
==================================================

Project curl Security Advisory, April 29 2026
[Permalink](https://curl.se/docs/CVE-2026-6429.html)

VULNERABILITY
-------------

When asked to both use a `.netrc` file for credentials and to follow HTTP
redirects, libcurl could leak the password used for the first host to the
followed-to host under certain circumstances.

INFO
----

To trigger, this flaw requires that both the original URL and the redirect URL
are using clear text `http://` URLs, that both are performed over the same
HTTP proxy and that the same connection is reused.

Similar to [CVE-2024-11053](https://curl.se/docs/CVE-2024-11053.html)

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name
CVE-2026-6429 to this issue.

CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

Severity: Medium

AFFECTED VERSIONS
-----------------

- Affected versions: from curl 7.14.0 to and including 8.19.0
- Not affected versions: curl < 7.14.0 and >= 8.20.0
- Introduced-in: https://github.com/curl/curl/commit/01165e08e0d131b399fb

libcurl is used by many applications, but not always advertised as such!

This bug is not considered a *C mistake*. It is not likely to have been
avoided had we not been using C.

This flaw does **not** affect the curl command line tool.

SOLUTION
--------

- Fixed-in: https://github.com/curl/curl/commit/b4024bf808bd558026fdc6

RECOMMENDATIONS
---------------

We suggest you take one of the following actions immediately, in order of
preference:

 A - Upgrade to curl and libcurl 8.20.0

 B - Apply the patch and rebuild libcurl

 C - Avoid using the combination netrc, HTTP and HTTP proxy

TIMELINE
---------

It was reported to the curl project on April 16th 2026. We contacted
distros@openwall on April 23.

libcurl 8.20.0 was released on April 29th 2026, coordinated with the
publication of this advisory.

CREDITS
-------

- Reported-by: Muhamad Arga Reksapati
- Patched-by: Daniel Stenberg

Thanks a lot!

--

 / daniel.haxx.se || https://rock-solid.curl.dev
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