Yarn: Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity
CVE-2025-8262 is a high-severity inefficient regular expression complexity vulnerability in Yarn from Yarnpkg, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Yarn versions: 1.22.0; 1.22.1; 1.22.2, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.84% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 59% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Yarn you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yarnpkg | Yarn | 1.22.0; 1.22.1; 1.22.2; 1.22.3; 1.22.4; 1.22.5; 1.22.6; 1.22.7; and 15 more ranges | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 4.3 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.0 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability was found in yarnpkg Yarn up to 1.22.22. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function explodeHostedGitFragment of the file src/resolvers/exotics/hosted-git-resolver.js. The manipulation leads to inefficient regular expression complexity. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The patch is identified as 97731871e674bf93bcbf29e9d3258da8685f3076. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity
The product uses a regular expression with a worst-case computational complexity that is inefficient and possibly exponential.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use regular expressions that do not support backtracking, e.g. by removing nested quantifiers.
- Set backtracking limits in the configuration of the regular expression implementation, such as PHP's pcre.backtrack_limit. Also consider limits on execution time for the process.
- Do not use regular expressions with untrusted input. If regular expressions must be used, avoid using backtracking in the expression.
More Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity vulnerabilities (CWE-1333)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
- vuldb.com/?id.317850Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?submit.617393Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other references
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.317850Permissions Required, VDB Entry
Recent Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity vulnerabilities
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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