chi Middleware Vulnerable to Potential IP Spoofing via `X-Forwarded-For` Header in `Request.RemoteAddr` Resolution

### Summary The vulnerability allows the `Request.RemoteAddr` to be spoofed when determining the request source IP via the `X-Forwarded-For` header. This could result in misidentification of the request source and potentially compromise access control and logging integrity. ### Details Currently, the `RealIP()` implementation splits the `X-Forwarded-For` header by `,` and uses the first IP. https://github.com/go-chi/chi/blob/v5.1.0/middleware/realip.go#L50-L54 However, relying on the first IP in the `X-Forwarded-For` header is insecure because it can be manipulated by attackers to falsify the source IP. Malicious Case: 1. A malicious client sends a request with a forged IP in the X-Forwarded-For header: `X-Forwarded-For: <forged-ip>` 2. The proxy appends the actual client’s IP and forwards the request: `X-Forwarded-For: <forged-ip>,<client-ip>` 3. If the server always uses the first IP, it becomes vulnerable to IP spoofing. Ideally, the implementation should verify IPs starting from the end of the `X-Forwarded-For` header value, skipping trusted IPs within the system, and using the first untrusted IP as the actual client IP. For example, the `labstack/echo` web framework processes the `X-Forwarded-For` header by checking IPs from the end, skipping trusted IPs, and using the first untrusted IP as the client's ip. https://github.com/labstack/echo/blob/v4.13.2/ip.go#L261-L273 ### PoC #### 1. Run the Go application with the following code: ```go package main import ( "fmt" "log" "net/http" "github.com/go-chi/chi/v5/middleware" ) func main() { // Set handler to print the remote address handler := http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) { fmt.Fprintln( w, fmt.Sprintf("remote addr: %s (want 192.0.2.1)", r.RemoteAddr), ) }) // Use RealIP middleware log.Fatal(http.ListenAndServe(":8080", middleware.RealIP(handler))) } ``` #### 2. Send a request to the server using curl with a manipulated X-Forwarded-For header: ``` $ curl localhost:8080 -H 'X-Forwarded-For: 192.0.2.2, 192.0.2.1' remote addr: 192.0.2.2 (want 192.0.2.1) ``` ### Impact This vulnerability can lead to a request source IP spoofing issue, which may allow attackers to bypass access controls or falsify request logs. It primarily affects systems that rely on X-Forwarded-For to determine the actual client IP, particularly in scenarios where intermediary proxies or load balancers are involved.

Source published

25 Jun 2026 18:18:56 UTC

Source modified

10 Sep 2026 03:50:49 UTC

Observed here

24 Oct 2026 13:19:41 UTC

Source terms

GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0

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This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: osv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

CVSS_V4 · CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P

Publisher rating · HIGH