Description
A flaw in Node.js HTTP request handling causes an uncaught `TypeError` when a request is received with a header named `__proto__` and the application accesses `req.headersDistinct`.

When this occurs, `dest["__proto__"]` resolves to `Object.prototype` rather than `undefined`, causing `.push()` to be called on a non-array. This exception is thrown synchronously inside a property getter and cannot be intercepted by `error` event listeners, meaning it cannot be handled without wrapping every `req.headersDistinct` access in a `try/catch`.

* This vulnerability affects all Node.js HTTP servers on **20.x, 22.x, 24.x, and v25.x**
Published: 2026-03-30
Score: 7.5 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Denial of Service due to crash from __proto__ header
Action: Patch Immediately
AI Analysis

Analysis and contextual insights are available on OpenCVE Cloud.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6183-1 nodejs security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6272-1 nodejs security update
History

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Unhandled TypeError from __proto__ Header in Node.js HTTP Request Handling Node.js: Node.js: Denial of Service due to crafted HTTP `__proto__` header
First Time appeared Nodejs
Nodejs nodejs
Weaknesses CWE-20 CWE-843
Vendors & Products Nodejs
Nodejs nodejs
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important


Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-770
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Unhandled TypeError from __proto__ Header in Node.js HTTP Request Handling
Weaknesses CWE-20

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw in Node.js HTTP request handling causes an uncaught `TypeError` when a request is received with a header named `__proto__` and the application accesses `req.headersDistinct`. When this occurs, `dest["__proto__"]` resolves to `Object.prototype` rather than `undefined`, causing `.push()` to be called on a non-array. This exception is thrown synchronously inside a property getter and cannot be intercepted by `error` event listeners, meaning it cannot be handled without wrapping every `req.headersDistinct` access in a `try/catch`. * This vulnerability affects all Node.js HTTP servers on **20.x, 22.x, 24.x, and v25.x**
References
Metrics cvssV3_0

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: hackerone

Published:

Updated: 2026-03-31T13:55:23.719Z

Reserved: 2026-01-04T15:00:06.574Z

Link: CVE-2026-21710

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-31T13:55:13.442Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-03-30T20:16:18.210

Modified: 2026-04-01T14:24:21.833

Link: CVE-2026-21710

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-03-30T19:07:28Z

Links: CVE-2026-21710 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-02T07:54:00Z

Weaknesses