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.
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:15:00 +0900

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title nodejs: Nodejs denial of service
Weaknesses CWE-248
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:30:00 +0900

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nodejs
Nodejs nodejs
Vendors & Products Nodejs
Nodejs nodejs

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:45:00 +0900

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}


Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: hackerone

Published:

Updated: 2026-01-20T20:41:55.352Z

Reserved: 2026-01-01T15:00:02.339Z

Link: CVE-2026-21637

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-01-20T21:16:05.950

Modified: 2026-01-20T21:16:05.950

Link: CVE-2026-21637

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-01-20T20:41:55Z

Links: CVE-2026-21637 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-01-21T20:18:54Z

Weaknesses