CVE-2026-72897: Issue summary · A TLS server that calls SSL_set_SSL_CTX() to switch a connection to a different SSL_CTX part way through a handshake may access
Affects nodejsSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 3.1.0 : patch nodejs soon.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 23:24 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 33% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 3.1.0, 3.5.5-1ubuntu3.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 29 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 13 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade openssl/openssl to 3.1.0; the Ubuntu openssl package to 3.5.5-1ubuntu3.6.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
GitHubopenssl/opensslpkg:github/openssl/opensslOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTSnodejspkg:deb/ubuntu/nodejs?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10edk2pkg:deb/ubuntu/edk2?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.10edk2-hwepkg:deb/ubuntu/edk2-hwe?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSedk2pkg:deb/ubuntu/edk2?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSedk2-hwepkg:deb/ubuntu/edk2-hwe?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available for this vulnerability. Users should apply the official fix provided by Node.js or their Linux distribution maintainers. Since the issue only affects applications that switch SSL_CTX during handshake with differing provider signature algorithms, avoiding this non-default configuration also mitigates the risk. No additional mitigations are required if the patch is applied or the vulnerable behavior is not used.
Description
A vulnerability in Node.js TLS server occurs when SSL_set_SSL_CTX() is called to switch a SSL_CTX during a handshake and the new context has more provider signature algorithms than the original. This can cause out-of-bounds memory access leading to a denial of service. The issue affects only non-default configurations where SSL_CTX is switched mid-handshake with differing signature algorithms. FIPS modules are not impacted. The severity is low due to limited exploitation scope and the need for specific application behavior.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72897 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/00646e5085a0d12d29e0d2f9b9bc5f7111a50922 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/4135f553c9d3ba4a09fe752f5d30af2a6a092b2e (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/9c54d209486f6b1ad79fe2179c40f13200fa4f61 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/e87ed26b298a74d8ba61a53e9c7bcd1acac6b814 (opens in a new tab)
- openssl-library.org/news/secadv/20260929.txt (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72897 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72897 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8847-1 (opens in a new tab)