nats-server: Integer Overflow or Wraparound
CVE-2026-27889 is a high-severity integer overflow or wraparound vulnerability in nats-server from Nats-io, 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 nats-server versions: >= 2.2.0, < 2.11.14; >= 2.12.0, < 2.12.5. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.61% 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 nats-server you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on advisories.nats.io 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nats-io | nats-server | >= 2.2.0, < 2.11.14; >= 2.12.0, < 2.12.5 | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Multicluster Global Hub 1.4.5 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Multicluster Global Hub 1.6.5 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat multicluster global hub 1.5.3 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Not specified in the record | 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).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA |
Official description
NATS-Server is a High-Performance server for NATS.io, a cloud and edge native messaging system. Starting in version 2.2.0 and prior to versions 2.11.14 and 2.12.5, a missing sanity check on a WebSockets frame could trigger a server panic in the nats-server. This happens before authentication, and so is exposed to anyone who can connect to the websockets port. Versions 2.11.14 and 2.12.5 contains a fix. A workaround is available. The vulnerability only affects deployments which use WebSockets and which expose the network port to untrusted end-points. If one is able to do so, a defense in depth of restricting either of these will mitigate the attack.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Integer Overflow or Wraparound
The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. When this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that all protocols are strictly defined, such that all out-of-bounds behavior can be identified simply, and require strict conformance to the protocol.
- Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. If possible, choose a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Use libraries or frameworks that make it easier to handle numbers without unexpected consequences. Examples include safe integer handling packages such as SafeInt (C++) or IntegerLib (C or C++).
More Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerabilities (CWE-190)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in nats-server
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
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