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CVE Record

CVE-2020-13956: Apache HttpClient versions prior to version 4.5.13 and 5.0.3 can misinterpret malformed authority component...

Apache HttpClient versions prior to version 4.5.13 and 5.0.3 can misinterpret malformed authority component in request URIs passed to the library as java.net.URI object and pick the wrong target host for request execution.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a dependency risk in Apache HttpClient. Certain malformed request URIs supplied as java.net.URI can cause vulnerable versions to choose the wrong target host. Applications that let users or upstream systems influence outbound HTTP destinations could send requests somewhere unintended.

Executive priority

Treat as a dependency hygiene and outbound request control issue. Prioritize internet-facing services, integrations, and platforms that fetch URLs from users or partners. No active exploitation is evidenced in the supplied sources.

Technical view

Apache HttpClient before 4.5.13 and 5.0.3 may misinterpret a malformed URI authority component when the request URI is passed as a java.net.URI object, selecting an unintended target host for execution.

Likely exposure

Java applications using Apache HttpClient 4.5.12 or earlier, or 5.0.2 or earlier, are potentially exposed. Risk is most relevant where outbound request destinations are influenced by external input or service-provided URLs.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The issue is described as URI host misselection, which could matter in redirect, proxy, fetch, webhook, or integration paths, depending on application design.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description and Apache mailing-list references. No CVSS vector, CWE, exploit status, or detailed patch mechanics are provided in the bundle. Avoid assuming SSRF or data exposure without application-specific validation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Apache HttpClient 4.x to 4.5.13 or later.
  • Upgrade Apache HttpClient 5.x to 5.0.3 or later.
  • Check transitive dependencies that bundle vulnerable HttpClient versions.
  • Review vendor advisories for products embedding Apache HttpClient.
  • Validate outbound URL handling around user-controlled or partner-controlled URIs.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory direct and transitive Apache HttpClient dependencies.
  • Confirm deployed artifacts do not include 4.5.12 or earlier, or 5.0.2 or earlier.
  • Review code paths passing java.net.URI objects to HttpClient.
  • Identify features that fetch externally supplied URLs.
  • Use dependency scanning or SBOM review to verify upgraded versions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2020-13956 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
41Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/aApache HttpClient4.5.12 and prior, 5.0.2 and priorListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.