node: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2026-126051 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in node from Node.js, with a CVSS 3.0 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. The record lists versions 24.22.3, 26.13.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating node to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.77% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 56% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update node to 24.22.3 or 26.13.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on cna.openjsf.org 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node.js | node | 24.0.0 up to, but not including, 24.22.3; 25.0.0 up to, but not including, 26.13.1 | 24.22.3, 26.13.1 |
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:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
A deferred-callback use-after-destroy in Node.js TLS server handshake handling allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to terminate the server process. When a TLS server uses any of the SNICallback, OCSPRequest, newSession, or resumeSession hooks, or server.addContext(), the corresponding OpenSSL callbacks are deferred, and the deferred code does not handle the underlying socket being destroyed between scheduling and execution. By sending a client hello that reaches the vulnerable path (for example, no SNI together with an OCSP request) followed by padding and a socket FIN, an attacker makes OpenSSL deliver the client hello and the end-of-file in the same tick, so the socket is destroyed before the deferred callback runs and the process raises an uncaught exception instead of emitting an 'error' event. This vulnerability affects Node.js 26.x and 24.x.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in node
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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