CVE-2026-8286: A vulnerability exists where a new transfer that uses STARTTLS to upgrade the connection might reuse an existi

Routine

HIGH 8.1UPGRADE

CVE-2026-8286 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting curl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability exists where a new transfer that uses STARTTLS to upgrade the connection might reuse an existing live connection even though the TLS configuration mismatches so it should not.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 76%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-295
Published	2026-07-03
Last modified	2026-09-15

Publisher (CNA): curl · Vendor: haxx

Last updated 2026-09-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-03 07:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-15 07:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

haxx curl UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.30.0 and < 8.21.0

Fixed in: 8.21.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.30.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 8.21.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade curl

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 7.30.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison curl sudo apt install curl=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.30.0> sudo apt-mark hold curl

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

dnf --showduplicates list curl sudo dnf downgrade curl-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.30.0> sudo dnf versionlock add curl

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.

Advisories and coverage

Official advisories

Amazon Linux 2 ALAS: ALAS2-2026-3953 (important): curl 2026-09-28

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-2026-8286?

curl: upgrade to 8.21.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-8286 being exploited?

CVE-2026-8286 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-2026-8286 affect?

CVE-2026-8286 affects curl. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). A vulnerability exists where a new transfer that uses STARTTLS to upgrade the connection might reuse an existing live connection even though the TLS configuration mismatches so it should not.

How urgent is CVE-2026-8286?

Priority 39/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

curl vulnerabilities

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References

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