CVE-2026-21637

A flaw in Node.js TLS error handling allows remote attackers to crash or exhaust resources of a TLS server when `pskCallback` or `ALPNCallback` are in use. Synchronous exceptions thrown during these callbacks bypass standard TLS error handling paths (tlsClientError and error), causing either immediate process termination or silent file descriptor leaks that eventually lead to denial of service. Because these callbacks process attacker-controlled input during the TLS handshake, a remote client can repeatedly trigger the issue. This vulnerability affects TLS servers using PSK or ALPN callbacks across Node.js versions where these callbacks throw without being safely wrapped.
ProviderTypeBase ScoreAtk. VectorAtk. ComplexityPriv. RequiredVector
NISTNIST
5.9 MEDIUM
NETWORK
HIGH
NONE
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
hackeroneCNA
5.9 MEDIUM
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Base Score
CVSS 3.x
EPSS Score
Percentile: Unknown
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Debian Releases
Debian Product
Codename
nodejs
bullseye
vulnerable
bullseye (security)
vulnerable
bookworm
vulnerable
bookworm (security)
vulnerable
trixie
vulnerable
forky
22.22.0+dfsg+~cs22.19.6-1
fixed
sid
22.22.0+dfsg+~cs22.19.6-1
fixed