---
id: "CVE-2026-90798"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-90798"]
title: "Apache CouchDB: replicator loops forever on redirects, causing denial of service"
severity: "low"
cvss: 0.6
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["couchdb", "package", "replication", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["managed-hosting", "no-replication"]
published_at: "2026-10-20T16:17:15+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:20+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T04:50:08+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90798", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:20+00:00"}]
---

# Apache CouchDB: replicator loops forever on redirects, causing denial of service

Apache CouchDB 3.5.2 and earlier lack a circuit breaker in the replicator, so a replication source or target that issues an infinite HTTP redirect loop can stall replication. An attacker who owns a replication endpoint can make the database spend resources on it, causing denial of service.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Run `curl -s http://localhost:5984/` (or your CouchDB address) and read the `version` field; it is affected at `3.5.2` and below.
- Check the replicator database for replication jobs whose source or target you do not recognise.

## Fix

- Upgrade Apache CouchDB to `3.5.3` or later.
- Until then, only create replications to endpoints you control or trust.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:20+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90798

## From the sources

A missing circuit-breaker in the replicator in Apache CouchDB 3.5.2 and below on all platforms allows the owner of a replication source or target to cause a denial of service via creating an infinite HTTP redirect loop.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.5.3, which fixes this issue.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_