Findings

CVE-2026-27651

When the ngx_mail_auth_http_module module is enabled on NGINX Plus or NGINX Open Source, undisclosed requests can cause worker processes to terminate.

Published Mar 24, 2026 · corrected/updated Jul 15, 2026 · f5 nginx open source · evidence confidence medium

When the ngx_mail_auth_http_module module is enabled on NGINX Plus or NGINX Open Source, undisclosed requests can cause worker processes to terminate. This issue may occur when (1) CRAM-MD5 or APOP authentication is enabled, and (2) the authentication server permits retry by returning the Auth-Wait response header. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Grounded briefings

Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.

Executive

CVE-2026-27651 is a high public vulnerability record for f5 nginx open source. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.

System administrator

Identify whether f5 nginx open source is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: f5/nginx open source; f5/nginx plus; f5/nginx plus (r32). Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.

Security analyst

Signals on file: CVSS 8.7. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Weakness classes: CWE-476. Sources contributing to this record: cve_org, nvd. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.

Exploitation and remediation

  • Exploitation evidence

    Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.

  • Patch and remediation

    No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.

  • Safe detection guidance

    Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.

Technology hubs

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

No public source repository is identified for this product.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Mar 24, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Detected

    When the ngx_mail_auth_http_module module is enabled on NGINX Plus or NGINX Open Source, undisclosed requests can cause worker processes to terminate. This issue may occur when (1) CRAM-MD5 or APOP authentication is enabled, and (2) the authentication server permits retry by returning the Auth-Wait response header. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not

  2. Jul 15, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Updated

    When the ngx_mail_auth_http_module module is enabled on NGINX Plus or NGINX Open Source, undisclosed requests can cause worker processes to terminate. This issue may occur when (1) CRAM-MD5 or APOP authentication is enabled, and (2) the authentication server permits retry by returning the Auth-Wait response header. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not

Affected

  • cpe f5/nginx open sourceversion unspecified
  • cpe f5/nginx plusversion unspecified
  • cpe f5/nginx plusr32

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-27651

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2026-27651

    When the ngx_mail_auth_http_module module is enabled on NGINX Plus or NGINX Open Source, undisclosed requests can cause worker processes to terminate. This issue may occur when (1) CRAM-MD5 or APOP authentication is enabled, and (2) the authentication server permits retry by retu

    nvd.nist.gov

References