CVE-2026-33186

CRITICAL

gRPC-Go <1.79.3 HTTP/2 :path - Authorization Bypass

Title source: manual
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2026-33186. PoCs published by JohannesLks.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a functional Python PoC exploiting CVE-2026-33186, an authorization bypass in gRPC-Go's RBAC policy due to missing validation of the leading slash in the `:path` pseudo-header. The exploit demonstrates bypassing deny rules by omitting the leading slash in raw HTTP/2 requests.

Description

gRPC-Go is the Go language implementation of gRPC. Versions prior to 1.79.3 have an authorization bypass resulting from improper input validation of the HTTP/2 `:path` pseudo-header. The gRPC-Go server was too lenient in its routing logic, accepting requests where the `:path` omitted the mandatory leading slash (e.g., `Service/Method` instead of `/Service/Method`). While the server successfully routed these requests to the correct handler, authorization interceptors (including the official `grpc/authz` package) evaluated the raw, non-canonical path string. Consequently, "deny" rules defined using canonical paths (starting with `/`) failed to match the incoming request, allowing it to bypass the policy if a fallback "allow" rule was present. This affects gRPC-Go servers that use path-based authorization interceptors, such as the official RBAC implementation in `google.golang.org/grpc/authz` or custom interceptors relying on `info.FullMethod` or `grpc.Method(ctx)`; AND that have a security policy contains specific "deny" rules for canonical paths but allows other requests by default (a fallback "allow" rule). The vulnerability is exploitable by an attacker who can send raw HTTP/2 frames with malformed `:path` headers directly to the gRPC server. The fix in version 1.79.3 ensures that any request with a `:path` that does not start with a leading slash is immediately rejected with a `codes.Unimplemented` error, preventing it from reaching authorization interceptors or handlers with a non-canonical path string. While upgrading is the most secure and recommended path, users can mitigate the vulnerability using one of the following methods: Use a validating interceptor (recommended mitigation); infrastructure-level normalization; and/or policy hardening.

Exploits (1)

nomisec WORKING POC
by JohannesLks · poc
https://github.com/JohannesLks/CVE-2026-33186

This repository contains a functional Python PoC exploiting CVE-2026-33186, an authorization bypass in gRPC-Go's RBAC policy due to missing validation of the leading slash in the `:path` pseudo-header. The exploit demonstrates bypassing deny rules by omitting the leading slash in raw HTTP/2 requests.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: google.golang.org/grpc < v1.79.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Python 3.8+ · h2 library · vulnerable gRPC-Go server with RBAC deny rules
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 09, 2026 Full analysis →

References (1)

Core 1
Core References

Scores

CVSS v3 9.1
EPSS 0.0002
EPSS Percentile 5.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable yes
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-285
Status published
Products (3)
google.golang.org/grpc 0 - 1.79.3Go
grpc/grpc < 1.79.3
grpc/grpc-go < 1.79.3
Published Mar 20, 2026
Tracked Since Mar 21, 2026