Apache APISIX 3.8.0/3.9.0 forward-auth Plugin request smuggling

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apache APISIX 3.8.0/3.9.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component forward-auth Plugin. This manipulation causes request smuggling. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-32638. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apache APISIX 3.8.0/3.9.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component forward-auth Plugin. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a request smuggling vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-444. The product acts as an intermediary HTTP agent
(such as a proxy or firewall) in the data flow between two
entities such as a client and server, but it does not
interpret malformed HTTP requests or responses in ways that
are consistent with how the messages will be processed by
those entities that are at the ultimate destination. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests ('HTTP Request Smuggling') vulnerability in Apache APISIX when using `forward-auth` plugin.This issue affects Apache APISIX: from 3.8.0, 3.9.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.8.1, 3.9.1 or higher, which fixes the issue.
The advisory is shared at lists.apache.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2024-32638 since 04/16/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 07/10/2025).
Upgrading to version 3.8.1 or 3.9.1 eliminates this vulnerability.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Product
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.apache.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Request smugglingCWE: CWE-444
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: APISIX 3.8.1/3.9.1
Timeline
04/16/2024 🔍05/02/2024 🔍
05/02/2024 🔍
07/10/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: apache.orgAdvisory: lists.apache.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2024-32638 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2024-32638
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-262837
Entry
Created: 05/02/2024 11:29Updated: 07/10/2025 18:47
Changes: 05/02/2024 11:29 (53), 07/10/2025 18:47 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
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