axios: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes
CVE-2026-67316 is a high-severity improperly controlled modification of object prototype attributes vulnerability in axios, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 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 1.18.0, 0.33.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating axios to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.42% 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
- Update axios to 1.18.0 or 0.33.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axios | axios | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, 1.18.0; before 0.33.0 | 1.18.0, 0.33.0 |
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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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
- 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:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 6.3 | Medium | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | NVD |
Official description
axios is vulnerable to read-side prototype-pollution gadgets that can alter request construction when Object.prototype has already been polluted by a separate vulnerability or dependency. In the bodyless method aliases (axios.get(), axios.delete(), axios.head(), axios.options()), inherited data is read via (config || {}).data before config normalization, causing an attacker-controlled body to be sent on requests that did not set one. Additional low-level paths, only reachable when calling exported adapters/helpers (e.g. lib/adapters/http.js, unsafe/helpers/resolveConfig.js) directly with plain configs and no own proxy or paramsSerializer, can inherit polluted proxy values (routing requests through an attacker-controlled proxy) or paramsSerializer values (attacker-controlled URL serialization). These low-level gadgets do not reproduce through normal high-level axios calls on 1.15.2+. The issue is fixed in axios 1.18.0 and 0.33.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes
The product receives input from an upstream component that specifies attributes that are to be initialized or updated in an object, but it does not properly control modifications of attributes of the object prototype.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- By freezing the object prototype first (for example, Object.freeze(Object.prototype)), modification of the prototype becomes impossible.
- By blocking modifications of attributes that resolve to object prototype, such as proto or prototype, this weakness can be mitigated.
- When handling untrusted objects, validating using a schema can be used.
More Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes vulnerabilities (CWE-1321)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-mmx7-hfxf-jppxExploit, Mitigation
Third-party and government advisories
- vulncheck.com/advisories/axios-before-prototype-pollution-via-bodyless-methodsThird Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in axios
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
Recent Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.