CVE-2026-48895 in APISIX
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2026
URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect') vulnerability in Apache APISIX.
The attacker could manipulate some client headers to perform an open-redirect, to potentially expose the session token.
This issue affects Apache APISIX: from 3.0.0 through 3.16.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.17.0, which fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
The Apache APISIX open redirect vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to manipulate client headers and redirect users to untrusted external sites. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions 3.0.0 through 3.16.0 of the API gateway, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this platform for their API management and traffic routing needs. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of redirect URLs, enabling malicious actors to craft specially formatted requests that bypass normal security controls and direct users to potentially harmful destinations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of client headers that APISIX uses to determine redirect destinations. When the API gateway processes requests containing crafted header values, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the redirect targets, allowing arbitrary URLs to be processed as legitimate redirect destinations. This occurs because the system does not adequately verify that redirect URLs originate from trusted sources or match expected patterns, creating an attack surface where session tokens and other sensitive information could be exposed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities in web applications and systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking and credential theft. Attackers can leverage this flaw to redirect users to malicious sites that attempt to capture session tokens, authentication cookies, or other sensitive data. The potential for phishing attacks increases significantly when users are redirected through what appears to be legitimate APISIX endpoints, making the attack more convincing and harder to detect. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where APISIX serves as a gateway for user authentication flows or where sensitive data is transmitted through the API management platform, creating a pathway for attackers to compromise user sessions and access restricted resources.
Organizations using affected versions of Apache APISIX should immediately implement the recommended upgrade to version 3.17.0, which contains the necessary patches to address the open redirect vulnerability. The fix implemented in version 3.17.0 includes enhanced header validation mechanisms and stricter URL sanitization processes that prevent the exploitation of this attack vector. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous redirect patterns and review existing security configurations to ensure that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within their APISIX deployments. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential consequences of operating with outdated software versions in production environments.