CVE-2026-40594
MEDIUMpyLoad is a free and open-source download manager written in Python. Prior to 0.5.0b3.dev98, the set_session_cookie_secure before_request handler in src/pyload/webui/app/__init__.py…
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Description
pyLoad is a free and open-source download manager written in Python. Prior to 0.5.0b3.dev98, the set_session_cookie_secure before_request handler in src/pyload/webui/app/init.py reads the X-Forwarded-Proto header from any HTTP request without validating that the request originates from a trusted proxy, then mutates the global Flask configuration SESSION_COOKIE_SECURE on every request. Because pyLoad uses the multi-threaded Cheroot WSGI server (request_queue_size=512), this creates a race condition where an attacker's request can influence the Secure flag on other users' session cookies — either downgrading cookie security behind a TLS proxy or causing a session denial-of-service on plain HTTP deployments. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.5.0b3.dev98.
Affected Products
pyload-ngpyload-ng_projectDetection & mitigation playbook
Vendor / applianceDetect
Inventory every pyload-ng_project pyload-ng deployment and check each version against the affected-products list above. Because the exploit targets the running system rather than your application code, also watch for exploitation at the network and runtime layer — O3 flags the exploit behaviour from runtime telemetry and egress traffic even before a vulnerable build is confirmed.
Fix
Apply the pyload-ng_project pyload-ng security patch or hotfix for CVE-2026-40594 on the affected version, following the vendor advisory for your exact build.
Workarounds
Cut exposure now: restrict the management/admin interface to trusted networks, segment the device, and apply the vendor's recommended configuration mitigations and any WAF/IPS signature. O3's runtime protection blocks the exploit chain at execution, holding the line on unpatched or end-of-life systems until you can patch.
How O3 protects you
O3 detects and blocks CVE-2026-40594 exploitation at runtime: eBPF exploit-chain detection, plus L7 egress monitoring that catches the post-exploitation callback and severs the attacker's outbound channel.
Tailored to CVE-2026-40594. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2026-40594 being exploited in your environment?
O3's eBPF runtime sensors and L7 egress monitoring detect and block the CVE-2026-40594 exploit chain at execution — protecting unpatched and end-of-life systems until the vendor patch is applied.