brace-expansion: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
CVE-2026-102278 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in brace-expansion from Juliangruber, 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 brace-expansion versions: >= 4.0.0, < 5.0.11; >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.8; >= 2.0.0, < 2.1.6, 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 0.49% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of brace-expansion you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juliangruber | brace-expansion | >= 4.0.0, < 5.0.11; >= 3.0.0, < 3.0.8; >= 2.0.0, < 2.1.6; < 1.1.20 | 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 CNA (github.com).
Official description
The brace-expansion library generates arbitrary strings containing a common prefix and suffix. Prior to 1.1.20, 2.1.6, 3.0.8, and 5.0.11, deeply nested brace groups cause expand_() to recurse once per nesting level at comma-member and single-set expansion sites, exhausting the native stack before output limits can apply and potentially terminating the Node.js process. expand_ performs uncontrolled recursion for nested brace alternatives and single-part sets. deeply nested brace groups supplied as an untrusted pattern. expand_ is affected. expand is affected. Comma members is affected. Single set is affected. native stack exhaustion during nested sub-expansion. process-terminating denial of service. This issue is fixed in versions 1.1.20, 2.1.6, 3.0.8, and 5.0.11.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
- Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.
More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in brace-expansion
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
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