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CVE-2026-43971

Link Header Directive Smuggling via Unescaped target/rel/Attribute Keys in cow_link:link/1

6.3 MediumFix available

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
None
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

0.52%Up 0.2 points since Aug 18, 2026
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 6.3

Link Header Directive Smuggling via Unescaped target/rel/Attribute Keys in cow_link:link/1

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
CVE-2026-43971
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N
Weakness
CWE-116
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-60573 6.3

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
EUVD-2026-60573
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N
Updated
2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-gg23-fwhr-prjh 6.3

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header...

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 onward.

Record
GHSA-gg23-fwhr-prjh
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Weakness
CWE-116
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 6.3

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
CVE-2026-43971
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Weakness
CWE-116
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 6.3

Link Header Directive Smuggling via Unescaped target/rel/Attribute Keys in cow_link:link/1

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
CVE-2026-43971
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N
Weakness
CWE-116
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2026-43971 6.3

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1. cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins. This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2026-43971
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Updated
2026-11-02
Show 4 moreShow less
OSVEEF-CVE-2026-43971 6.3

Link Header Directive Smuggling via Unescaped target/rel/Attribute Keys in cow_link:link/1

Summary

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Workarounds

Sanitize values before passing them to cow_link:link/1: reject or strip any target value containing >, any rel value containing " or \, and any attribute key containing characters outside the HTTP token grammar. Alternatively, ensure all Link entry fields are derived exclusively from trusted, application-controlled values rather than untrusted input.

Configurations

The application must pass values that originate from, or can be influenced by, untrusted input into cow_link:link/1 — specifically the target URI, rel value, or attribute keys. Applications that construct Link entries exclusively from trusted, application-controlled values are not affected.

Record
EEF-CVE-2026-43971
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N
Weakness
CWE-116
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVRHSA-2026:66210 4.3

Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat Hardened Images RPMs Security Update

Record
RHSA-2026:66210
CVSS 3.1
4.3 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2026-43971 6.3

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1. cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins. This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2026-43971
CVSS 4.0
6.3 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVAZL-96873 No score

CVE-2026-43971 affecting package rabbitmq-server for versions less than 3.13.7-9

Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in ninenines cowlib allows Link header directive smuggling via unescaped special characters in cow_link:link/1.

cow_link:do_link/1 in cowlib interpolates the target URI, rel value, and attribute keys directly into the serialized Link: header value without escaping or token-grammar validation. A > byte in target prematurely closes the URI slot, allowing an attacker to append additional link entries with attacker-chosen rel directives. A " or \ in rel escapes the quoted string and opens new parameters. Any byte — including whitespace, =, and " — in an attribute key is emitted verbatim. Because browsers act on Link: directives such as rel="preconnect", rel="preload", and rel="prerender", an attacker who can influence these fields in an application that round-trips parsed Link headers through cow_link:link/1 can force victim browsers to make out-of-band connections to attacker-controlled origins.

This issue affects cowlib: from 2.9.0 before 2.20.0.

Record
AZL-96873
Updated
2026-11-05

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
rabbitmq-server
Azure Linux:3
before 3.13.7-9
3.13.7-9
erlang-cowlib
Debian:14
before 2.20.0-1, plus listed versions
1.3.0-32.17.1-12.17.1-22.18.0-12.19.0-1
2.20.0-1
cowlib
Hex
2.9.0 up to 2.20.0, plus listed versions
2.10.02.10.12.11.02.12.02.12.1
Show 10 moreShow less
2.13.02.14.02.15.02.16.02.16.12.17.02.17.12.18.02.19.02.9.1
2.20.0
rabbitmq-server4.3
Red Hat:hummingbird:1
before 0:4.3.5-1.1.hum1
0:4.3.5-1.1.hum1
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:16.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-1
None known
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-2
None known
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-3
None known
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-3
None known
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-3
None known
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:26.10
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-3build12.19.0-1
None known
erlang-cowlib
Ubuntu:26.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
1.3.0-31.3.0-3build1
None known

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
factsOSV
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2026-43971 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.3) in Ninenines Cowlib, published August 18, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.52%, the 44th percentile. Fixed in rabbitmq-server 3.13.7-9.

References

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