CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-115895NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

happy-dom: Improper Control of Generation of Code

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-115895 is a high-severity improper control of generation of code vulnerability in happy-dom from Capricorn86, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected happy-dom versions: >= 17.0.0, < 21.0.4. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.47% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of happy-dom you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  4. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Capricorn86happy-dom>= 17.0.0, < 21.0.4Not 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
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

Happy DOM is a JavaScript implementation of a web browser without its graphical user interface. From 17.0.0 until 21.0.4, packages/happy-dom/src/module/ECMAScriptModuleCompiler.ts accepts a named ESM import alias without validating that it is a JavaScript binding identifier before inserting it into a generated destructuring binding. With enableJavaScriptEvaluation enabled, attacker-controlled HTML or module source can use an invalid alias that becomes a valid default initializer after compilation, causing the generated JavaScript to execute in the Node.js host process. The demonstrated reachable path uses a JSON module import attribute, which prevents the malicious alias from being emitted again in a later ESM circular-import assignment and keeps the generated function syntactically valid. This incomplete fix for CVE-2026-33943 is a distinct residual path because the earlier remediation validated the local export importName path but not the named-import alias. This issue is fixed in version 21.0.4.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Control of Generation of Code

The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Refactor your program so that you do not have to dynamically generate code.
  • Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which code can be executed by your product. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
  • Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.

More Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities (CWE-94)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in happy-dom

All happy-dom vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities

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