CVE-2026-54251: io.netty.incubator netty-incubator-codec-ohttp

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-54251 is a high (CVSS 8.7) vulnerability in io.netty.incubator netty-incubator-codec-ohttp. EPSS estimates a 0.51% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 42% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 15-09-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 15-09-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

netty-incubator-codec-ohttp implements Oblivious HTTP (OHTTP) gateway and client functionality using Netty. Prior to 0.0.23.Final, the OHTTP gateway decryption path in codec-ohttp/src/main/java/io/netty/incubator/codec/ohttp/OHttpRequestResponseContext.java allocates a pooled direct ByteBuf for decrypted plaintext before the AEAD tag is verified. When an invalid tag causes decryptChunk() to throw CryptoException, OHttpRequestResponseContext.decodeChunk() does not release the ByteBuf because the allocation is not guarded by try/finally. Repeated invalid encrypted requests can therefore leak native off-heap memory until the gateway is unable to continue serving requests. This issue is fixed in version 0.0.23.Final.

• CWE-664Improper Control of a Resource Through its LifetimeThe product does not maintain or incorrectly maintains control over a resource throughout its lifetime of creation, use, and release.