CVE-2026-21636
10.0 · CRITICALOverview
CVE-2026-21636 is a critical-severity vulnerability affecting nodejs node.js. It was published on January 20, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 (CRITICAL).
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0, rated CRITICAL. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
Technical Description
A flaw in Node.js's permission model allows Unix Domain Socket (UDS) connections to bypass network restrictions when `--permission` is enabled. Even without `--allow-net`, attacker-controlled inputs (such as URLs or socketPath options) can connect to arbitrary local sockets via net, tls, or undici/fetch. This breaks the intended security boundary of the permission model and enables access to privileged local services, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exposure, or local code execution.
* The issue affects users of the Node.js permission model on version v25.
In the moment of this vulnerability, network permissions (`--allow-net`) are still in the experimental phase.
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from nodejs. Update node.js to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| nodejs | node.js | >= 25.0.0, < 25.3.0 | Affected |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-21636?
CVE-2026-21636 is a critical-severity vulnerability affecting nodejs node.js. It was published on January 20, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 (CRITICAL).
How severe is CVE-2026-21636?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0, rated CRITICAL. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2026-21636?
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from nodejs. Update node.js to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2026-21636?
CyberStrike's AI-powered security agents can automatically detect CVE-2026-21636 across your infrastructure using autonomous pentesting, DAST scanning, and HackBrowser. The platform continuously monitors for known vulnerabilities and provides actionable remediation guidance prioritized by real-world exploitability.
How CyberStrike Helps
AI agents map your attack surface to find vulnerabilities like this one.
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