Node.js Brotli Decoder Bug Could Allow Remote Code Execution in All Supported Versions
thehackernews.com Oct 22, 2026

Node.js Brotli Decoder Bug Could Allow Remote Code Execution in All Supported Versions

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Node.js issued security patches on Oct 21 for its three supported branches—22.x, 24.x and 26.x—addressing ten vulnerabilities. The most critical flaw is in the bundled Brotli decoder, where malformed input can cause an out‑of‑bounds write and potentially remote code execution when an app processes attacker‑controlled Brotli data via zlib or fetch(). Fixed versions are 22.23.4, 24.22.1 and 26.12.1; earlier lines (20.x and older) are end‑of‑life and remain vulnerable. The patch applies an upstream Brotli 1.2.1 fix that validates input earlier. A proof‑of‑concept caused a crash and limited memory read on builds, but no live exploits have been reported. Other fixes cover TLS certificate validation, DNS resolution and random‑number generation bugs, and the update blocks Indian CA keys while refreshing bundled components.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Millions of web services rely on Node.js’s built‑in compression, so the unpatched Brotli bug could let attackers execute code on any vulnerable server that handles compressed traffic.