---
title: "CVE-2026-97205: NGINX Plus & Open Source - Use After Free"
description: "NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source contain a use-after-free vulnerability in ngx_http_core_module when asynchronous file I/O is enabled and processing SSI pages with \"include virtual\" commands, letting remote attackers cause denial-of-service, memory corruption, or code execution, exploit requires ASLR disabled or bypass."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-97205/
---

# CVE-2026-97205 NGINX Plus & Open Source - Use After Free

NGINX Plus and NGINX Open Source contain a use-after-free vulnerability in ngx\_http\_core\_module when asynchronous file I/O is enabled and processing SSI pages with "include virtual" commands, letting remote attackers cause denial-of-service, memory corruption, or code execution, exploit requires ASLR disabled or bypass.

CVSS base score 8.1 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

Proof of concept available

Authentication

Not required

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97205)

## Details

Type

Use After Free

Impact

Denial Of Service, Remote Code Execution

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

14 October 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

Weakness

[CWE-416](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/416.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest supported version of NGINX Plus or NGINX Open Source.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97205](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97205)
- [https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000162608](https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000162608)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

Panop answers these inside your environment, for this CVE and every other finding.

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