Client TLS credentials sent raw to server in npm package nats
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-522.
Summary
Nats is a Node.js client for the NATS messaging system. ## Problem Description _Preview versions_ of two NPM packages and one Deno package from the NATS project contain an information disclosure flaw, leaking options to the NATS server; for one package, this includes TLS private credentials. The _connection_ configuration options in these JavaScript-based implementations were fully serialized and sent to the server in the client's `CONNECT` message, immediately after TLS establishment. The nats.js client supports Mutual TLS and the credentials for the TLS client key are included in the connection configuration options; disclosure of the client's TLS private key to the server has been observed. Most authentication mechanisms are handled after connection, instead of as part of connection, so other authentication mechanisms are unaffected. For clarity: NATS account NKey authentication **is NOT affected**. Neither the nats.ws nor the nats.deno clients support Mutual TLS: the affected versions listed below are those where the logic flaw is present. We are including the nats.ws and nats.deno versions out of an abundance of caution, as library maintainers, but rate as minimal the likelihood of applications leaking sensitive data. ## Affected versions ### Security impact * NPM package nats.js: + **mainline is unaffected** + beta branch is vulnerable from 2.0.0-201, fixed in 2.0.0-209 ### Logic flaw * NPM package nats.ws: + status: preview + flawed from 1.0.0-85, fixed in 1.0.0-111 * Deno repository https://github.com/nats-io/nats.deno + status: preview + flawed in all git tags prior to fix + fixed with git tag v1.0.0-9 ## Impact For deployments using TLS client certificates (for mutual TLS), private key material for TLS is leaked from the client application to the server. If the server is untrusted (run by a third party), or if the client application also disables TLS verification (and so the true identity of the server is unverifiable) then authentication credentials are leaked. ## Workaround *None* ## Solution Upgrade your package dependencies to fixed versions, and then reissue any TLS client credentials (with new keys, not just new certificates) and revoke the old ones.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | nats (npm) | 2.0.0-201 to before 2.0.0-209 | 2.0.0-209 | Patch available | GHSA-prmc-5v5w-c465 |
- nats (npm) Vendor— Affected 2.0.0-201 to before 2.0.0-209 Fixed in 2.0.0-209 Patch available GHSA-prmc-5v5w-c465
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-prmc-5v5w-c465 nats (npm) Fixed in 2.0.0-209 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-prmc-5v5w-c465
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences