CVE-2026-58185 in Traffic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2026
The Apache Traffic Server intercept plugin has a use-after-free.
This issue affects Apache Traffic Server: from 8.0.0 through 8.1.9, from 9.0.0 through 9.2.14, from 10.0.0 through 10.1.3.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 9.2.15 or 10.1.4, which fix the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2026
The Apache Traffic Server intercept plugin vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition that poses significant security risks to web infrastructure deployments. This flaw exists within the traffic server's plugin architecture where memory management errors occur during plugin execution cycles. The vulnerability affects multiple version ranges including 8.0.0 through 8.1.9, 9.0.0 through 9.2.14, and 10.0.0 through 10.1.3, indicating a persistent issue across several major releases of the software. The use-after-free condition typically arises when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating opportunities for memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the intercept plugin's handling of memory allocations during request processing. When the plugin processes certain HTTP requests, it may prematurely free memory resources while still maintaining references to those locations. This creates a scenario where subsequent operations can access or modify already deallocated memory segments, leading to unpredictable behavior including crashes, data corruption, or potentially remote code execution. The flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices that violate fundamental security principles and can be classified under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity threats. Organizations relying on Apache Traffic Server for content delivery, caching, or proxy services face significant risk as attackers could exploit this condition to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams suggests it has remained undetected for extended periods, potentially allowing adversaries to develop sophisticated exploitation techniques. Systems utilizing the intercept plugin for custom request handling, logging, or modification are particularly vulnerable, as these functionalities often involve complex memory operations that increase the likelihood of triggering the use-after-free condition.
Security mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to versions 9.2.15 or 10.1.4 which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all affected systems and implement comprehensive testing procedures before applying updates. The remediation process should include monitoring for exploitation attempts and ensuring proper system hardening measures are in place. Additional defensive measures may include network segmentation, implementing intrusion detection systems, and establishing robust patch management protocols. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving memory corruption and privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous when combined with other attack vectors that could leverage the compromised server for lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper memory management in high-availability web infrastructure components and highlights the need for continuous security auditing of core system plugins.