Findings

CVE-2026-2229

undici: Undici: Denial of Service via invalid WebSocket permessage-deflate extension parameter

Published Mar 12, 2026 · corrected/updated Sep 4, 2026 · Red Hat undici · evidence confidence high

ImpactThe undici WebSocket client is vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack due to improper validation of the server_max_window_bits parameter in the permessage-deflate extension. When a WebSocket client connects to a server, it automatically advertises support for permessage-deflate compression. A malicious server can respond with an out-of-range server_max_window_bits value (outside zlib's valid range of 8-15). When the server subsequently sends a compressed frame, the client attempts to create a zlib InflateRaw instance with the invalid windowBits value, causing a synchronous RangeError exception that is not caught, resulting in immediate process termination. The vulnerability exists because: * The isValidClientWindowBits() function only validates that the value contains ASCII digits, not that it falls within the valid range 8-15 * The createInflateRaw() call is not wrapped in a try-catch block * The resulting exception propagates up through the call stack and crashes the Node.js process

Grounded briefings

Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.

Executive

CVE-2026-2229 is a high public vulnerability record for Red Hat undici. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.

System administrator

Identify whether Red Hat undici is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: nodejs/undici. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.

Security analyst

Signals on file: CVSS 7.5. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Weakness classes: CWE-1284, CWE-248. Sources contributing to this record: csaf, cve_org, nvd. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.

Exploitation and remediation

  • Exploitation evidence

    Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.

  • Patch and remediation

    No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.

  • Safe detection guidance

    Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Mar 12, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Detected

    ImpactThe undici WebSocket client is vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack due to improper validation of the server_max_window_bits parameter in the permessage-deflate extension. When a WebSocket client connects to a server, it automatically advertises support for permessage-deflate compression. A malicious server can respond with an out-of-range server_max_window_bits value (outside zlib's val

  2. Sep 4, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Updated

    ImpactThe undici WebSocket client is vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack due to improper validation of the server_max_window_bits parameter in the permessage-deflate extension. When a WebSocket client connects to a server, it automatically advertises support for permessage-deflate compression. A malicious server can respond with an out-of-range server_max_window_bits value (outside zlib's val

Affected

  • cpe nodejs/undiciversion unspecified

Sources

  • CSAF AdvisoriesVendor advisoryRHSA-2026:9742:CVE-2026-2229

    A flaw was found in the undici WebSocket client. A remote malicious server can exploit this vulnerability by sending a WebSocket frame with an invalid parameter within the permessage-deflate extension. This improper validation causes the client's Node.js process to terminate, lea

    security.access.redhat.com
  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-2229

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2026-2229

    ImpactThe undici WebSocket client is vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack due to improper validation of the server_max_window_bits parameter in the permessage-deflate extension. When a WebSocket client connects to a server, it automatically advertises support for permessage-d

    nvd.nist.gov

References