highCVE-2026-46415

CVE-2026-46415 caddy-defender vulnerability

The Caddy Defender plugin is a middleware for Caddy that allows users to block or manipulate requests based on the client's IP address. Prior to version 0.10.1, Caddy Defender used `r.RemoteAddr` when evaluating whether a request should be blocked. `RemoteAddr` is the address of the immediate peer connected to Caddy. In deployments where Caddy is behind a trusted proxy, CDN, or load balancer, the immediate peer is usually the proxy, not the original client. Caddy resolves the original client address into its `client_ip` request variable after applying the configured `trusted_proxies` policy, but Defender did not use that value. As a result, clients from blocked IP ranges could bypass Defender when accessing Caddy through a trusted proxy whose own IP address was not blocked. This affects deployments that use Defender behind trusted proxies and expect it to enforce blocking based on the real client IP. The issue is fixed in version 0.10.1 by making Defender prefer Caddys resolved `client_ip` request variable when it is available. Defender falls back to `RemoteAddr` only when Caddy has not provided a resolved client IP. There is no complete workaround in affected Defender versions for deployments that rely on Caddy's trusted proxy client IP resolution. Until upgrading, affected users should enforce equivalent IP blocking at the trusted proxy, CDN, load balancer, firewall, or other edge layer before traffic reaches Caddy. Deployments where Caddy receives traffic directly from clients, without an intermediate trusted proxy, are not affected by this bypass.

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Productcaddy-defender
CVSS8.2
EPSSNot scored yet
UpdatedJuly 21, 2026

Quick answer

JasonLovesDoggo caddy-defender should be reviewed and updated if it matches the affected versions. The recommended fix is to apply the vendor-supported patched version or the mitigation steps below, then retest the public website with Fixnx.

Who is affected

Affected versions

  • < 0.10.1

Fixed versions

  • Apply the latest vendor-supported patched version.

How to fix it

CVE-2026-46415 affects caddy-defender and involves authorization failure. Successful exploitation may let a lower-privileged user view or change data outside their allowed scope. Prioritize internet-facing, privileged, automation, and production deployments. Upgrade caddy-defender to 0.10.1 or a later vendor-supported fixed release.

  1. Inventory every deployment, device, package, plugin, container, build, and environment that uses caddy-defender.
  2. Compare the installed version with the recorded affected range: < 0.10.1.
  3. Upgrade caddy-defender to 0.10.1 or a later vendor-supported fixed release.
  4. Until patched, restrict the affected API or workflow to trusted administrators and enforce an additional access-control layer at the proxy or network boundary.
  5. Review configuration, roles, tokens, network paths, and exposed endpoints connected to caddy-defender; remove access that is not required.
  6. Review authentication, API, audit, and object-change logs for cross-user access, bypassed checks, or unexpected privileged actions.
  7. If exploitation is suspected, isolate affected assets, preserve evidence, rotate exposed credentials or keys, restore trusted data, and rebuild compromised systems before returning them to service.

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Verify the fix

  • Confirm every affected asset now runs the fixed vendor-supported release or has the documented mitigation for CVE-2026-46415 in place.
  • Use a safe regression test to confirm the affected authorization failure path no longer produces the vulnerable behavior.
  • Confirm temporary access controls, endpoint restrictions, network blocks, and least-privilege settings remain effective after the update.
  • Review post-remediation logs and rerun Fixnx plus the relevant package, dependency, firmware, browser, or product-specific security check.
  • Document affected assets, versions, changes, validation evidence, reviewed logs, and any credential rotation, cleanup, or replacement completed.

Related categories

Related security risks

More published guidance from the same primary category.

Trusted references

FAQ

What is affected by CVE-2026-46415?

JasonLovesDoggo caddy-defender versions listed as affected should be reviewed: < 0.10.1.

What should I fix first?

Start with internet-facing sites, admin panels, login flows, plugins, themes, modules, packages, and systems that process user-controlled input or sensitive data.

How do I confirm the fix worked?

Apply the patched version or mitigation, clear caches where relevant, retest the affected workflow, and run a new Fixnx scan to verify public website exposure signals.

How are Fixnx security risk categories chosen?

Fixnx keeps one canonical risk page and assigns only broad, relevant categories such as ecosystem, technology area, or vulnerability class.