joi: Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity
CVE-2026-92599 is a high-severity inefficient regular expression complexity vulnerability in joi from Hapijs, 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. The record lists versions 17.13.7, 18.2.6 as the first without the flaw, so updating joi to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.58% 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 joi to 17.13.7 or 18.2.6, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hapijs | joi | 17.2.0 up to, but not including, 17.13.7; 18.0.0 up to, but not including, 18.2.6 | 17.13.7, 18.2.6 |
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 (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
joi (npm package `joi`, hapi.js) versions >=17.2.0 <17.13.7 and >=18.0.0 <18.2.6 are vulnerable to regular expression denial of service in the `Joi.string().isoDate()` validation rule. One of the regular expressions the rule applies to the input is unanchored, so a valid ISO date followed by a long run of fractional-second digits causes the regex engine to restart its search from every position in the string, yielding time proportional to the square of the input length (about 1.4 s for 64 KB of digits and about 22 s for 256 KB). A remote attacker who can supply a string to an isoDate validation can stall the application with a single request. Fixed in 17.13.7 and 18.2.6; as a workaround, cap the length of the string before it reaches joi.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity
The product uses a regular expression with a worst-case computational complexity that is inefficient and possibly exponential.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use regular expressions that do not support backtracking, e.g. by removing nested quantifiers.
- Set backtracking limits in the configuration of the regular expression implementation, such as PHP's pcre.backtrack_limit. Also consider limits on execution time for the process.
- Do not use regular expressions with untrusted input. If regular expressions must be used, avoid using backtracking in the expression.
More Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity vulnerabilities (CWE-1333)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in joi
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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