SSRF in Apeworx Web3.py
CVE-2026-40072
web3.py allows you to interact with the Ethereum blockchain using Python. From 6.0.0b3 to before 7.15.0 and 8.0.0b2, web3.py implements CCIP Read / OffchainLookup (EIP-3668) by performing HTTP requests to URLs supplied by smart contracts in offchain_lookup_payload["urls"]. The implementation uses these contract-supplied URLs directly (after {sender} / {data} template substitution) without any destination validation. CCIP Read is enabled by default (global_ccip_read_enabled = True on all providers), meaning any application using web3.py's .call() method is exposed without explicit opt-in. This results in Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) when web3.py is used in backend services, indexers, APIs, or any environment that performs eth_call / .call() against untrusted or user-supplied contract addresses. A malicious contract can force the web3.py process to issue HTTP requests to arbitrary destinations, including internal network services and cloud metadata endpoints. This vulnerability is fixed in 7.15.0 and 8.0.0b2.
Vulnerability class: SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery)
EPSS: 0.002 (13.8th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.2 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
Affected products
- Apeworx Web3.py — versions 6.0.0, 8.0.0
- Ethereum Web3.py — versions >= 6.0.0b3, < 7.15.0, >= 8.0.0b1, < 8.0.0b2
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Exploit, Mitigation, Vendor Advisory)
- security-advisories@github.com (Patch, x_refsource_MISC)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-40072?
- CVE-2026-40072 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apeworx Web3.py, classified under Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). CVSS score: 7.2/10. Published 2026-04-09.
- How severe is CVE-2026-40072?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.2 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2026-40072 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.