# CVE-2026-44489: Axios Proxy-Authorization header injection in setProxy

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44489-axios-proxy-authorization-header-injection-via-prototype  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-29. Updated: 2026-06-11  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-44489 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.7 · Published 2026-05-29

Axios is a widely used tool for making web requests in JavaScript applications. A security flaw allows attackers to inject unauthorized credentials into web requests if the application is configured to use a proxy server. This could lead to requests being misidentified by the proxy or potentially blocked, though it does not allow the attacker to see the actual data being sent.

Technologies: [Axios](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/axios), [axios (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npm-axios). Vendors: [Axios](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/axios), [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-44489 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44489 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44489?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.7, published 29 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Axios 1.15.2 to < 1.16.0; axios (npm) SEMVER:introduced=1.15.2,fixed=1.16.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44489?** Yes. axios (npm): upgrade to 1.16.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-44489 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44489?** Check whether you run Axios or axios (npm) 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

- axios (npm): upgrade to 1.16.0 or later

  ```sh
  npm install axios@1.16.0
  ```


## Technical details

This vulnerability is a bypass of the fix for GHSA-q8qp-cvcw-x6jj. While the top-level configuration object in Axios 1.15.2 uses a null prototype, nested objects created via 'utils.merge()' (such as 'config.proxy') are still initialized as plain JavaScript objects. These objects inherit from 'Object.prototype', making them vulnerable to prototype pollution. The 'setProxy()' function in 'lib/adapters/http.js' reads properties like 'username' and 'password' without 'hasOwnProperty' checks. If an attacker pollutes 'Object.prototype.username', Axios will automatically construct and inject a 'Proxy-Authorization' header into all proxied requests. This requires a pre-existing prototype pollution vulnerability in the application's dependency tree and the explicit use of a proxy configuration. The issue is fixed in version 1.16.0.

## Affected products

- Axios Axios 1.15.2 to < 1.16.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-44489
- GHSA-654m-c8p4-x5fp

## Timeline

- 2026-05-29: advisory: GitHub advisory published
- 2026-06-11: disclosed: NVD publication date
- 2026-06-11: patched: Fixed in version 1.16.0

## References

- [https://github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-654m-c8p4-x5fp](https://github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-654m-c8p4-x5fp)

## Related threats

- [Axios NO_PROXY CIDR notation bypass in Node.js adapter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101899-axios-cidr-form-no-proxy-entries-are-ignored-causing-proxy)
- [Axios prototype pollution in ToFormData](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101909-axios-is-a-promise-based-http-client-for-the-browser-and-node-js)
- [Axios fetch adapter header injection via prototype pollution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101908-axios-is-a-promise-based-http-client-for-the-browser-and-node-js)
- [Axios fetch adapter maxRedirects bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101907-axios-is-a-promise-based-http-client-for-the-browser-and-node-js)
- [Axios ReDoS in shouldBypassProxy regular expression](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101906-axios-is-a-promise-based-http-client-for-the-browser-and-node-js)