CVE-2026-26311

Envoy is a high-performance edge/middle/service proxy. Prior to 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13, a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up. The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method. The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData. FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy(). This vulnerability is fixed in 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13.

Envoy is a high-performance edge/middle/service proxy. Prior to 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13, a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up. The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method. The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData. FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy(). This vulnerability is fixed in 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13.

Note: This vulnerability was originally reported to the Google OSS VRP (Issue ID: 477542544). The Google Security Team requested that I coordinate directly with the Envoy maintainers for triage and remediation. I am submitting this report here to facilitate that process.

Technical Details I have identified a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up.

Mechanism: The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method.

When an HTTP/2 stream encounters a reset condition (e.g., StreamIdleTimeout, OverloadManager limits, or a local reset triggered by a filter), Envoy calls onResetStream. This method:

1. Sets the internal state state_.saw_downstream_reset_ = true.
2. Invokes onDestroy() on all filters in the chain (allowing them to release resources/pointers).
3. Schedules the ActiveStream object for deferred deletion (cleanup happens later in the event loop).

The Flaw: The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData.

FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy().

Root Cause Code Location: File: source/common/http/filter_manager.cc Function: FilterManager::decodeData

void FilterManager::decodeData(...) {
  if (stopDecoderFilterChain()) { return; }

  // Vulnerability: Missing check for state_.saw_downstream_reset_
  // Execution proceeds into the loop even if the stream is logically dead.

  auto trailers_added_entry = decoder_filters_.end();
  for (; entry != decoder_filters_.end(); entry++) {
      // ... calls (*entry)->handle_->decodeData(data) on destroyed filters ...
  }
}

Suggested Fix: Add an explicit state check at the beginning of FilterManager::decodeData.

// Prevent execution on streams that have been reset but not yet destroyed.
if (state_.saw_downstream_reset_) {
  return;
}

Impact Analysis

Who can exploit this: Any remote attacker capable of establishing an HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 connection. No privileges/authentication required.

Impact & Gain: 1. Memory Corruption & Potential Remote Code Execution: While the immediate symptom is a crash (DoS), the underlying primitive is a Use-After-Free (CWE-416).

• Mechanism: When onDestroy() is called on filters (e.g., Lua, Wasm, or complex native filters), they release internal structures and invalidate pointers.
• Exploitation: By forcing decodeData() to execute on these now-freed objects, an attacker triggers undefined behavior. In a heap-groomed environment, an attacker could potentially replace the freed filter object with a malicious payload before the "Zombie" decodeData call occurs. This would allow for vtable hijacking or arbitrary write-what-where primitives, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
• Risk Amplification: This is particularly dangerous for Envoy deployments using memory-unsafe extensions or third-party filters (C++ extensions), where onDestroy logic is relied upon for safety.

2. Security Control Bypass: The vulnerability defeats Envoy's "Fail-Closed" security architecture.

• Scenario: If a stream is reset due to a security violation (e.g., StreamIdleTimeout, OverloadManager rejection, or WAF triggering), this vulnerability allows the attacker to **bypass…

Envoy is a high-performance edge/middle/service proxy. Prior to 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13, a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up. The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method. The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData. FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy(). This vulnerability is fixed in 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13.

Envoy is a high-performance edge/middle/service proxy. Prior to 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13, a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up. The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method. The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData. FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy(). This vulnerability is fixed in 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13.

Note: This vulnerability was originally reported to the Google OSS VRP (Issue ID: 477542544). The Google Security Team requested that I coordinate directly with the Envoy maintainers for triage and remediation. I am submitting this report here to facilitate that process.

Technical Details I have identified a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up.

Mechanism: The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method.

When an HTTP/2 stream encounters a reset condition (e.g., StreamIdleTimeout, OverloadManager limits, or a local reset triggered by a filter), Envoy calls onResetStream. This method:

1. Sets the internal state state_.saw_downstream_reset_ = true.
2. Invokes onDestroy() on all filters in the chain (allowing them to release resources/pointers).
3. Schedules the ActiveStream object for deferred deletion (cleanup happens later in the event loop).

The Flaw: The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData.

FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy().

Root Cause Code Location: File: source/common/http/filter_manager.cc Function: FilterManager::decodeData

void FilterManager::decodeData(...) {
  if (stopDecoderFilterChain()) { return; }

  // Vulnerability: Missing check for state_.saw_downstream_reset_
  // Execution proceeds into the loop even if the stream is logically dead.

  auto trailers_added_entry = decoder_filters_.end();
  for (; entry != decoder_filters_.end(); entry++) {
      // ... calls (*entry)->handle_->decodeData(data) on destroyed filters ...
  }
}

Suggested Fix: Add an explicit state check at the beginning of FilterManager::decodeData.

// Prevent execution on streams that have been reset but not yet destroyed.
if (state_.saw_downstream_reset_) {
  return;
}

Impact Analysis

Who can exploit this: Any remote attacker capable of establishing an HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 connection. No privileges/authentication required.

Impact & Gain: 1. Memory Corruption & Potential Remote Code Execution: While the immediate symptom is a crash (DoS), the underlying primitive is a Use-After-Free (CWE-416).

• Mechanism: When onDestroy() is called on filters (e.g., Lua, Wasm, or complex native filters), they release internal structures and invalidate pointers.
• Exploitation: By forcing decodeData() to execute on these now-freed objects, an attacker triggers undefined behavior. In a heap-groomed environment, an attacker could potentially replace the freed filter object with a malicious payload before the "Zombie" decodeData call occurs. This would allow for vtable hijacking or arbitrary write-what-where primitives, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
• Risk Amplification: This is particularly dangerous for Envoy deployments using memory-unsafe extensions or third-party filters (C++ extensions), where onDestroy logic is relied upon for safety.

2. Security Control Bypass: The vulnerability defeats Envoy's "Fail-Closed" security architecture.

• Scenario: If a stream is reset due to a security violation (e.g., StreamIdleTimeout, OverloadManager rejection, or WAF triggering), this vulnerability allows the attacker to **bypass…

Envoy is a high-performance edge/middle/service proxy. Prior to 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13, a logic vulnerability in Envoy's HTTP connection manager (FilterManager) that allows for Zombie Stream Filter Execution. This issue creates a "Use-After-Free" (UAF) or state-corruption window where filter callbacks are invoked on an HTTP stream that has already been logically reset and cleaned up. The vulnerability resides in source/common/http/filter_manager.cc within the FilterManager::decodeData method. The ActiveStream object remains valid in memory during the deferred deletion window. If a DATA frame arrives on this stream immediately after the reset (e.g., in the same packet processing cycle), the HTTP/2 codec invokes ActiveStream::decodeData, which cascades to FilterManager::decodeData. FilterManager::decodeData fails to check the saw_downstream_reset_ flag. It iterates over the decoder_filters_ list and invokes decodeData() on filters that have already received onDestroy(). This vulnerability is fixed in 1.37.1, 1.36.5, 1.35.8, and 1.34.13.