CVE-2026-123867: Node.js is vulnerable to a per-host mTLS authorization bypass via a CA-only SNI context failing open to the default CA

Published Nov 11, 2026
·
Updated

A per-host mutual-TLS authorization bypass in Node.js lets a client authorized for the default hostname reach a protected hostname it is not authorized for. When a TLS server assigns a hostname a different client-certificate CA with server.addContext(host, { ca: protectedCA }) but no server certificate in that SNI context, the per-host client CA is never installed and the handshake falls back to the default client CA. In src/crypto/cryptotls.cc, CertCbDone installs the SNI context's CA only when setSniContext succeeds, but setSniContext returns false for a context with no server certificate, so a CA-only SNI context silently keeps the default CA. A client holding a certificate trusted by the default CA, but not the protected CA, can therefore complete mTLS to the protected hostname and read its response even with requestCert and rejectUnauthorized enabled, while a client certified by the protected CA is rejected.

Affected Software

3 affected componentsFixes available
Node.js Node.js>=22.0.0<22.23.5
22.23.5
Node.js Node.js>=26.0.0<26.13.1
26.13.1
Node.js Node.js>=24.0.0<24.22.3
24.22.3

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.23.5
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 26.13.1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 24.22.3
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.23.5Fixed in 24.22.3Fixed in 26.13.1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade alpine/nodejs to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.23.5-r0
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade alpine/nodejs to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 24.22.3-r0

Event History

Nov 11, 2026
CVE Published
via Node.js·04:44 PM
Data Sourced
via Node.js·04:44 PM
SeverityAffected Software
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:23 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:23 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:17 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which deployments are exposed to this bypass?

Affected deployments use Node.js 22.x, 24.x, or 26.x and configure per-host mTLS with server.addContext(host, { ca: protectedCA }) for a protected hostname without providing a server certificate in that SNI context. The issue applies even when requestCert and rejectUnauthorized are enabled.

2

What does an attacker need to exploit the issue?

The attacker needs network access to the TLS service and a client certificate trusted by the server's default client CA. That certificate must not be trusted by the protected hostname's intended CA.

3

How can I determine whether a hostname is affected?

Review SNI contexts created with server.addContext and identify contexts that set a client CA but omit a server certificate. Test whether a client certificate trusted only by the default CA can successfully complete mTLS and access the protected hostname.

4

What can be done if patching is not immediately possible?

Avoid CA-only SNI contexts for protected hostnames. Configure a server certificate in each protected hostname's SNI context so the intended per-host client CA is installed, or use a separate TLS server configuration that does not rely on the default client CA.

Contact

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