CVE-2026-41646: CWE-284: Improper Access Control in projectdiscovery nuclei
Nuclei versions from 3.0.0 up to but not including 3.8.0 contain an improper access control vulnerability in the JavaScript protocol runtime. This flaw allows JavaScript templates to bypass local file access restrictions and read local . js and . json files via the require() function. The vulnerability is addressed in version 3.8.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Nuclei, a vulnerability scanner using a YAML-based DSL, has an access control vulnerability (CWE-284) in its JavaScript protocol runtime in versions 3.0.0 to before 3.8.0. This vulnerability permits JavaScript templates to read local JavaScript and JSON files by circumventing the default local file access restrictions through the require() function. The issue is fixed in version 3.8.0. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, with an attack vector of local, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality impact.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local user to read sensitive local .js and .json files that should be restricted, potentially exposing confidential information. The integrity and availability of the system are not impacted. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Nuclei to version 3.8.0 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched. Since the vendor advisory confirms the fix in 3.8.0, applying this update fully mitigates the issue. No additional mitigations are indicated.
CVE-2026-41646: CWE-284: Improper Access Control in projectdiscovery nuclei
Description
Nuclei versions from 3.0.0 up to but not including 3.8.0 contain an improper access control vulnerability in the JavaScript protocol runtime. This flaw allows JavaScript templates to bypass local file access restrictions and read local . js and . json files via the require() function. The vulnerability is addressed in version 3.8.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.5medium
Affected software
pkg:github/projectdiscovery/nucleiRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Nuclei, a vulnerability scanner using a YAML-based DSL, has an access control vulnerability (CWE-284) in its JavaScript protocol runtime in versions 3.0.0 to before 3.8.0. This vulnerability permits JavaScript templates to read local JavaScript and JSON files by circumventing the default local file access restrictions through the require() function. The issue is fixed in version 3.8.0. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, with an attack vector of local, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality impact.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local user to read sensitive local .js and .json files that should be restricted, potentially exposing confidential information. The integrity and availability of the system are not impacted. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Nuclei to version 3.8.0 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched. Since the vendor advisory confirms the fix in 3.8.0, applying this update fully mitigates the issue. No additional mitigations are indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-21T23:58:43.802Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 69fd5dbdcbff5d86108b6447
Added to database: 05/08/2026, 03:51:25 UTC
Last enriched: 05/15/2026, 10:58:39 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:58 UTC
Views: 77
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