CVE-2026-80229: OpenSSL provider use-after-free
When performing transfers via libcurl’s multi interface, pooled TLS connections can outlive their originating easy handles. In OpenSSL 3 provider configurations, libcurl attaches an allocated library context to the easy handle's state and passes it to OpenSSL without acquiring an ownership reference; destroying the easy handle prematurely frees this context while the active connection retains a dangling pointer, leading to a heap-use-after-free upon subsequent I/O or post-handshake operations.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an application using OpenSSL 3 affected solely because it has OpenSSL 3 installed?
No. The described condition also requires libcurl's multi interface, pooled TLS connections that outlive their originating easy handles, and an OpenSSL 3 provider configuration.
What application behavior creates the vulnerable lifetime condition?
The condition occurs when an easy handle is destroyed while a pooled TLS connection originating from that handle remains active. Subsequent I/O or post-handshake processing on that connection can then use the freed OpenSSL library context.