CVE-2026-116540
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AI Threat Summary
CVE-2026-116540 is a moderate vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.9 affecting the target software. Threat hunters should monitor for exploit attempts and apply vendor patches immediately.
Description
netty-tcnative 2.0.66.Final before 2.0.84.Final built against OpenSSL 3.x contains a use-after-free vulnerability in ssl_tlsext_ticket_key_cb during session ticket key rotation. Remote clients performing TLS handshakes while setSessionTicketKeys0 frees the shared key array cause OpenSSL to read freed HMAC keys, crashing or corrupting ticket processing.
Attack Chain
Attacker scans for vulnerable versions using version banners or PoC scanners
Attacker triggers CVE-2026-116540 vulnerability with a crafted request or payload
Vulnerability exploited to perform unauthorized actions on the target system
Depending on vulnerability type, attacker achieves data access, service disruption, or code execution
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Indicators of Compromise
| Type | Value | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_agent | Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; exploit/1.0) |
Generic exploit scanner user agent pattern | |
| url | /api/vuln-endpoint?payload=<malicious> |
Exploit attempt against application endpoint — monitor access logs for anomalous params |
Remediation
Quick Facts
| CVE ID | CVE-2026-116540 |
| CVSS Score | 5.9 |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
| Published | 2026-10-26 |
| Exploited | No |
| CISA KEV | No |
| PoC | Not public |
References
- https://github.com/netty/netty-tcnative
- https://github.com/netty/netty-tcnative/blob/netty-tcnative-…
- https://github.com/netty/netty-tcnative/commit/59662a8b07a9a…
- https://github.com/netty/netty-tcnative/releases/tag/netty-t…
- https://github.com/netty/netty-tcnative/security/advisories/…
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netty-tcnative-2.0.66-f…