CVE-2026-21636
Node.js Node.js Permission Model Unix Domain Socket Bypass
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.
INFO
Published Date :
Jan. 20, 2026, 9:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
Jan. 30, 2026, 8:20 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update Node.js to version v25.x or later.
- Review and re-evaluate network permission configurations.
- Apply security patches provided by the Node.js team.
- Restrict access to sensitive Unix Domain Sockets.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-21636 has a 6 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-21636.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/december-2025-security-releases | Vendor Advisory Release Notes |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-21636 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-21636
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Security scanner for OpenClaw AI agent installations (Node.js/TypeScript)
TypeScript
Security scanner for OpenClaw AI agent installations
Python
OpenClaw Pre-Install Security Auditor - Static security analysis tool
HTML Python
Proactive security monitoring for OpenClaw deployments. Detects ClawHavoc, AMOS stealer, CVE-2026-25253, memory poisoning, and supply chain attacks.
HTML JavaScript Shell
A CLI security scanner for OpenClaw AI agents that finds risky configurations and helps lock down agent runtimes before production.
Shell
None
Shell
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-21636 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-21636 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jan. 30, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:* versions from (including) 25.0.0 up to (excluding) 25.3.0 Added Reference Type HackerOne: https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/december-2025-security-releases Types: Release Notes, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jan. 21, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CWE CWE-284 -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jan. 20, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added 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. Added CVSS V3 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N Added Reference https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/december-2025-security-releases