CVE-2026-84428: fastify vulnerable to header validation bypass via incomplete schema case normalization
fastify versions before 5.12.2 implement the case-insensitive nature of HTTP header names by lowercasing names in a route's header schema before compiling it, but the transformation is incomplete: it lowercases the properties keys and the root-level required array, and does not lowercase the trigger and dependent names inside the JSON Schema Draft 7 dependencies keyword. Because Node stores request header names in lowercase, a canonical-case dependency such as requiring an authentication header whenever a privileged-mode header is present never matches, and the presence assertion is silently skipped. An unauthenticated remote client can therefore send the header that activates a privileged branch while omitting the header the dependency was meant to require, bypassing the conditional check. Users should upgrade to fastify 5.12.2 or later.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
fastifyto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.12.2
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which deployments are exposed?
Fastify versions before 5.12.2 are exposed when a route's header schema uses the JSON Schema Draft 7 dependencies keyword to conditionally require one header based on another, and the dependency trigger or dependent header name is not normalized to lowercase.
What does an attacker need to exploit this?
An unauthenticated remote client needs to be able to reach a route with the affected header-schema dependency. They can send the header that enables a privileged branch while omitting the authentication header that the dependency was intended to require.
How can I identify affected routes?
Review route header schemas for dependencies that express requirements between headers, especially rules requiring authentication when a privileged-mode header is present. Check whether the trigger and dependent header names within dependencies use canonical or mixed case rather than lowercase.
What is the remediation?
Upgrade Fastify to version 5.12.2 or later.