Improper certificate validation in NodeJS Node
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Spoofing
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 8 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-295.
Summary
Accepting arbitrary Subject Alternative Name (SAN) types, unless a PKI is specifically defined to use a particular SAN type, can result in bypassing name-constrained intermediates. Node.js < 12.22.9, < 14.18.3, < 16.13.2, and < 17.3.1 was accepting URI SAN types, which PKIs are often not defined to use. Additionally, when a protocol allows URI SANs, Node.js did not match the URI correctly.Versions of Node.js with the fix for this disable the URI SAN type when checking a certificate against a hostname. This behavior can be reverted through the --security-revert command-line option.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NodeJS | Node | 4.0 and later; 5.0 and later; 6.0 and later; 7.0 and later; 8.0 and later; 9.0 and later; 10.0 and later; 11.0 and later; 12.0 to before 12.22.9; 13.0 and later; 14.0 to before 14.18.3; 15.0 and later; 16.0 to before 16.13.2; 17.0 to before 17.3.1 | 12.22.9, 14.18.3, 16.13.2, 17.3.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- Node VendorNodeJS Affected 4.0 and later; 5.0 and later; 6.0 and later; 7.0 and later; 8.0 and later; 9.0 and later; 10.0 and later; 11.0 and later; 12.0 to before 12.22.9; 13.0 and later; 14.0 to before 14.18.3; 15.0 and later; 16.0 to before 16.13.2; 17.0 to before 17.3.1 Fixed in 12.22.9, 14.18.3, 16.13.2, 17.3.1 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 11
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:* | before 12.22.9; 14.0.0 to before 14.18.3; 16.0.0 to before 16.13.2; 17.0.0 to before 17.3.1 | Vulnerable | NodeJS |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:graalvm:20.3.5:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* | 20.3.5 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:graalvm:21.3.1:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* | 21.3.1 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:graalvm:22.0.0.2:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* | 22.0.0.2 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_connectors:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 8.0.28 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_enterprise_monitor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 8.0.29 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 5.7.37; 8.0.0 – 8.0.28 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_workbench:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 8.0.28 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools:8.58:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.58 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools:8.59:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.59 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
- cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:* Versions before 12.22.9; 14.0.0 to before 14.18.3; 16.0.0 to before 16.13.2; 17.0.0 to before 17.3.1 Vulnerable ·NodeJS
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:graalvm:20.3.5:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* Versions 20.3.5 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:graalvm:21.3.1:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* Versions 21.3.1 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:graalvm:22.0.0.2:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:* Versions 22.0.0.2 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_connectors:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 8.0.28 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_enterprise_monitor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 8.0.29 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 5.7.37; 8.0.0 – 8.0.28 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_workbench:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 8.0.28 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools:8.58:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.58 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools:8.59:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.59 Vulnerable ·Oracle
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Node (NodeJS) Fixed in 12.22.9, 14.18.3, 16.13.2, 17.3.1
Red Hat 6 advisories
- RHSA-2023:3742 Released 2023-06-21 · Red Hat rating ImportantRed Hat OpenShift Data Foundation 4.13.0 security and bug fix update
- RHODF 4.13 for RHEL 9 odf4/cephcsi-rhel9, odf4/mcg-core-rhel9, odf4/mcg-rhel9-operator +7
- RHSA-2023:1742 Released 2023-04-12 · Red Hat rating Importantnodejs:14 security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.8.6) nodejs-1:14.21.3-1.module+el8.6.0+18532+cbe6f646.aarch64::nodejs:14, nodejs-1:14.21.3-1.module+el8.6.0+18532+cbe6f646.ppc64le::nodejs:14, nodejs-1:14.21.3-1.module+el8.6.0+18532+cbe6f646.s390x::nodejs:14 +19
- RHSA-2022:9073 Released 2022-12-15 · Red Hat rating Moderatenodejs:16 security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) nodejs-1:16.18.1-3.module+el8.7.0+17465+1a1abd74.aarch64::nodejs:16, nodejs-1:16.18.1-3.module+el8.7.0+17465+1a1abd74.ppc64le::nodejs:16, nodejs-1:16.18.1-3.module+el8.7.0+17465+1a1abd74.s390x::nodejs:16 +19
Show 3 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2022:7830 Released 2022-11-08 · Red Hat rating Moderatenodejs:14 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) nodejs-1:14.20.1-2.module+el8.7.0+16991+b0a68a3e.aarch64::nodejs:14, nodejs-1:14.20.1-2.module+el8.7.0+16991+b0a68a3e.ppc64le::nodejs:14, nodejs-1:14.20.1-2.module+el8.7.0+16991+b0a68a3e.s390x::nodejs:14 +19
- RHSA-2022:7044 Released 2022-10-19 · Red Hat rating Moderaterh-nodejs14-nodejs security update
- Red Hat Software Collections for RHEL Workstation(v. 7) rh-nodejs14-nodejs-14.20.1-2.el7, rh-nodejs14-nodejs-devel-14.20.1-2.el7, rh-nodejs14-nodejs-docs-14.20.1-2.el7 +1
- Red Hat Software Collections for RHEL(v. 7) rh-nodejs14-nodejs-14.20.1-2.el7, rh-nodejs14-nodejs-devel-14.20.1-2.el7, rh-nodejs14-nodejs-docs-14.20.1-2.el7 +1
- RHSA-2022:4914 Released 2022-06-06 · Red Hat rating Moderaterh-nodejs12-nodejs security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Software Collections for RHEL Workstation(v. 7) rh-nodejs12-nodejs-12.22.12-2.el7, rh-nodejs12-nodejs-devel-12.22.12-2.el7, rh-nodejs12-nodejs-docs-12.22.12-2.el7 +1
- Red Hat Software Collections for RHEL(v. 7) rh-nodejs12-nodejs-12.22.12-2.el7, rh-nodejs12-nodejs-devel-12.22.12-2.el7, rh-nodejs12-nodejs-docs-12.22.12-2.el7 +1
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
NodeJS Node 10.*, 11.* and 12 more versions
4 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 3 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2022-06195 Prototype pollution in NodeJS NodePriority MEDIUM 55
- TI-2021-20133 Improper certificate validation in NodeJS NodePriority MEDIUM 42
- TI-2021-20132 Improper certificate validation in NodeJS NodePriority LOW 37
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Quay 3 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| RHODF 4.13 for RHEL 9 | Fixed | RHSA-2023:3742 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:7830, RHSA-2022:9073 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v. 8.1) | Fixed | — |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 8.2) | Fixed | — |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.8.4) | Fixed | — |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.8.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2023:1742 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for RHEL Workstation(v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:4914, RHSA-2022:7044 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for RHEL(v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:4914, RHSA-2022:7044 |
Not affected: 2 products
- RHODF 4.13 for RHEL 9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-44531
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-5qpf-4xwh-5775
- 2026-11-07 EPSS moved to the 95th–99th percentile
References
More NodeJS Node.js vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-79288 Out-of-bounds write in Google Brotli decoder KEVCVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.2
- TI-2023-23979 The HTTP/2 protocol allows a denial of service (server resource consumption) because… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2016-01993 The DES and Triple DES ciphers, as used in the TLS, SSH, and IPSec protocols and other… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2024-03325 Command injection vulnerability in programing languages on Microsoft Windows operating system. CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2022-03472 X.509 Email Address Variable Length Buffer Overflow CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2022-03315 X.509 Email Address 4-byte Buffer Overflow CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2021-44531 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-44531 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5qpf-4xwh-5775 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-44531 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences