CVE-2026-9547
Description
A flaw was found in curl. When a libcurl-based application uses SCP:// or SFTP:// for transfers and employs the CURLOPT_SSH_KEYFUNCTION callback, it may silently accept an untrusted server. This occurs if the server's host key type differs from the one stored in the known_hosts file. The callback mechanism fails to enforce the host key restriction, enabling a connection to an untrusted server and risking a man-in-the-middle attack.
Statement
This is an Important flaw where libcurl-based applications performing SCP or SFTP transfers with the CURLOPT_SSH_KEYFUNCTION callback may silently accept an untrusted server. This occurs when a server presents a host key type that differs from the one recorded in the known_hosts file, bypassing a critical host key verification and enabling potential man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability requires specific application callback usage, not a general curl client default.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.4 | N/A | 7.4 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control,Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; Modify Application Data; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
An attacker could gain access to sensitive data and possibly execute unauthorized code.
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