# CVE-2026-118265: Echo X-Real-IP header spoofing via untrusted extractor

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118265-echo-is-a-go-web-framework-from-5-0-0-until-5-4-1-echo-v5-s  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-28. Updated: 2026-10-28  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118265 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-10-28

Echo is a Go web framework used to build server applications. Echo v5's ExtractIPFromRealIPHeader function improperly validates the X-Real-IP header, allowing clients to spoof their IP address. Applications using this extractor for IP-based decisions—such as allowlists, rate limiting, or audit logging—can be tricked into trusting an attacker's falsified address, potentially granting unauthorized access or bypassing security controls.

Technologies: [github.com/labstack/echo/v5 (Go)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/github-com-labstack-echo-v5), [Labstack Echo](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/labstack-echo). Vendors: [Go](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/go), [Labstack](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/labstack).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118265 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118265 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118265?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 28 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** github.com/labstack/echo/v5 (Go) SEMVER:introduced=5.0.0,fixed=5.4.1; Labstack Echo 5.0.0 to 5.4.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118265?** Yes. github.com/labstack/echo/v5 (Go): upgrade to 5.4.1 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-118265 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118265?** Check whether you run github.com/labstack/echo/v5 (Go) or Labstack Echo at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- github.com/labstack/echo/v5 (Go): upgrade to 5.4.1 or later

  ```sh
  go get github.com/labstack/echo/v5@v5.4.1
  ```


## Technical details

The ExtractIPFromRealIPHeader extractor in Echo v5.0.0–5.4.0 validates whether a client-supplied X-Real-IP header value belongs to a trusted range, but fails to first verify that the direct network peer is itself trusted. An attacker connecting directly or through a proxy that preserves the header can inject a loopback or private address, causing Context.RealIP() to return the spoofed identity. The default direct extractor and Echo v4 are unaffected.

## Affected products

- labstack Echo 5.0.0 to 5.4.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-118265
- GHSA-h53f-rm2w-w7rg
- GO-2026-6841

## Timeline

- 2026-10-28: disclosed
- 2026-10-22: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/labstack/echo/commit/1855061e572ae9dab727c811d8382f266bfbaae](https://github.com/labstack/echo/commit/1855061e572ae9dab727c811d8382f266bfbaae)
- [https://github.com/labstack/echo/releases/tag/v5.4.1](https://github.com/labstack/echo/releases/tag/v5.4.1)

## Related threats

- [Echo web framework arbitrary URI scheme redirect](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118658-echo-is-a-go-web-framework-prior-to-4-15-2-and-5-1-1-context)
- [Echo Go web framework scheme header spoofing and HSTS bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118657-echo-is-a-go-web-framework-prior-to-4-16-0-and-5-4-0-context)
- [Echo open redirect in sanitizeURI with trailing slash redirect](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118656-echo-is-a-go-web-framework-prior-to-4-16-0-and-5-4-0-sanitizeuri)
- [Echo path traversal via double URL encoding in Static middleware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118655-echo-is-a-go-web-framework-prior-to-4-15-3-and-5-2-0-middleware)
- [Echo path traversal in static file handlers via dot segment normalization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118654-echo-is-a-go-web-framework-prior-to-4-16-0-and-5-4-0-echo-s)