next.js: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
CVE-2026-44574 is a high-severity authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in next.js from Vercel, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected next.js versions: >= 15.4.0, < 15.5.16; >= 16.0.0, < 16.2.5. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.64% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 51% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of next.js 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.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vercel | next.js | >= 15.4.0, < 15.5.16; >= 16.0.0, < 16.2.5 | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Streams for Apache Kafka 2.9.4 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Trusted Artifact Signer 1.3 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Trusted Artifact Signer 1.4 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | streams for Apache Kafka 3 | 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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA |
Official description
Next.js is a React framework for building full-stack web applications. From 15.4.0 to before 15.5.16 and 16.2.5, applications that rely on middleware to protect dynamic routes can be vulnerable to authorization bypass. In affected deployments, specially crafted query parameters can alter the dynamic route value seen by the page while leaving the visible path unchanged, which can allow protected content to be rendered without passing the expected middleware check. This vulnerability is fixed in 15.5.16 and 16.2.5.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
The product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Funnel all access through a single choke point to simplify how users can access a resource. For every access, perform a check to determine if the user has permissions to access the resource.
More Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities (CWE-288)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:34608
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:37272
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:40974
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:54435
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-44574
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2477207
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-44574.json
Other vulnerabilities in next.js
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
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