CVE-2026-50020: Netty is a network application framework for development of protocol servers and clients

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-50020 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting netty. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Netty is a network application framework for development of protocol servers and clients. Prior to versions 4.1.135.Final and 4.2.15.Final, before reading the first request-line, `HttpObjectDecoder` skips every byte for which `Character.isISOControl(b)` is `true` (0x00–0x1F and 0x7F) as well as all whitespace. RFC 9112 §2.2 only asks servers to ignore empty CRLF lines preceding the request-line — a carefully scoped robustness allowance intended t

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 86%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-444
Published	2026-06-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: netty

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-12 16:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

netty netty UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.1.135 · >= 4.2.0 and < 4.2.15

Fixed in: 4.1.135, 4.2.15

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy netty || rpm -q netty || netty --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.1.135 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade netty

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade netty

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison netty sudo apt install netty=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.2.0> sudo apt-mark hold netty

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list netty sudo dnf downgrade netty-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add netty

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-50020?

netty: upgrade to 4.1.135, 4.2.15. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-50020 being exploited?

CVE-2026-50020 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-50020 affect?

CVE-2026-50020 affects netty. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). Netty is a network application framework for development of protocol servers and clients. Prior to versions 4.1.135.Final and 4.2.15.Final, before reading the first request-line, `HttpObjectDecoder` skips every byte for which `Character.isI

How urgent is CVE-2026-50020?

Priority 27/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-42587 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Netty is an asynchronous, event-driven network application framework
CVE-2026-42584 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE Netty is an asynchronous, event-driven network application framework
CVE-2026-42583 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Netty is an asynchronous, event-driven network application framework
CVE-2026-42580 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Netty is an asynchronous, event-driven network application framework
CVE-2026-42585 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Netty is an asynchronous, event-driven network application framework

References

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