When Steeltoe management endpoints are configured to listen on an alternate port (Management:Endpoints:Port is configured), the middleware responsible for restricting access to the endpoints uses the Host HTTP header rather than the actual network socket port.
// impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can reach every actuator endpoint using a specially crafted HTTP request.
// affected configuration
The application's public port is accessible over from the network.
Management:Endpoints:Port is configured to a value different from the application's main listener port.
The request scheme matches Management:Endpoints:SslEnabled. For example, http when SslEnabled is false (the default), or https when SslEnabled is true.
// mitigations
If an immediate upgrade to a patched version is not possible:
Add explicit ASP.NET Core authorization (RequireAuthorization) to all sensitive actuator endpoints as a defense-in-depth measure independent of port isolation.
Configure the reverse proxy or load balancer to enforce the Host header value and prevent clients from setting an arbitrary port.
// cvss v3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
Low
Availability
None
Checked 2026-09-26 at 01:00 UTC. The most recent advisory here was published 2026-07-02. Updated continuously from NVD, GHSA, OSV and CNA feeds.