CVE-2026-64644: CWE-407: Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity in vercel next.js
Next.js is a React framework for building full-stack web applications. In versions 15.5.0 through 15.5.20 and 16.0.0 through 16.2.10, when self-hosting Next.js with the default image loader, the Image Optimization API can optimize remotely hosted images if configured (not enabled by default). If those images contain malicious content, they can cause CPU exhaustion in /_next/image endpoints.Only config.images.remotePatterns is affected, and just the patterns in that array, whereas config.images.unoptimized: true, config.images.loader: 'custom', and Vercel are not impacted. This issue has been fixed in versions 15.5.21 and 16.2.11.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-64644 is a CWE-407 vulnerability in the Next.js React framework's Image Optimization API. When self-hosting Next.js with the default image loader and enabling remote image optimization via config.images.remotePatterns, malicious images can cause CPU exhaustion on the /_next/image endpoints due to inefficient algorithmic complexity. This affects versions >=15.5.0 <15.5.21 and >=16.0.0 <16.2.11. The vulnerability does not affect configurations with config.images.unoptimized: true, config.images.loader: 'custom', or the Vercel cloud service. The issue is resolved in versions 15.5.21 and 16.2.11.
Potential Impact
An attacker can cause CPU exhaustion on the Next.js server by supplying malicious remotely hosted images that trigger inefficient processing in the Image Optimization API. This can degrade service availability or performance for affected self-hosted Next.js instances configured with config.images.remotePatterns. There is no indication of data compromise or remote code execution. The vulnerability is rated medium severity with a CVSS 4.0 score of 6.3.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Next.js to version 15.5.21 or later in the 15.x series, or 16.2.11 or later in the 16.x series to apply the official fix. Alternatively, disable remote image optimization by not configuring config.images.remotePatterns, or use config.images.unoptimized: true or config.images.loader: 'custom' to avoid exposure. This vulnerability does not affect the Vercel cloud-hosted service. Patch status is confirmed fixed in the specified versions.
CVE-2026-64644: CWE-407: Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity in vercel next.js
Description
Next.js is a React framework for building full-stack web applications. In versions 15.5.0 through 15.5.20 and 16.0.0 through 16.2.10, when self-hosting Next.js with the default image loader, the Image Optimization API can optimize remotely hosted images if configured (not enabled by default). If those images contain malicious content, they can cause CPU exhaustion in /_next/image endpoints.Only config.images.remotePatterns is affected, and just the patterns in that array, whereas config.images.unoptimized: true, config.images.loader: 'custom', and Vercel are not impacted. This issue has been fixed in versions 15.5.21 and 16.2.11.
CVSS v4.0
Score 6.3medium
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-64644 is a CWE-407 vulnerability in the Next.js React framework's Image Optimization API. When self-hosting Next.js with the default image loader and enabling remote image optimization via config.images.remotePatterns, malicious images can cause CPU exhaustion on the /_next/image endpoints due to inefficient algorithmic complexity. This affects versions >=15.5.0 <15.5.21 and >=16.0.0 <16.2.11. The vulnerability does not affect configurations with config.images.unoptimized: true, config.images.loader: 'custom', or the Vercel cloud service. The issue is resolved in versions 15.5.21 and 16.2.11.
Potential Impact
An attacker can cause CPU exhaustion on the Next.js server by supplying malicious remotely hosted images that trigger inefficient processing in the Image Optimization API. This can degrade service availability or performance for affected self-hosted Next.js instances configured with config.images.remotePatterns. There is no indication of data compromise or remote code execution. The vulnerability is rated medium severity with a CVSS 4.0 score of 6.3.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Next.js to version 15.5.21 or later in the 15.x series, or 16.2.11 or later in the 16.x series to apply the official fix. Alternatively, disable remote image optimization by not configuring config.images.remotePatterns, or use config.images.unoptimized: true or config.images.loader: 'custom' to avoid exposure. This vulnerability does not affect the Vercel cloud-hosted service. Patch status is confirmed fixed in the specified versions.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-q8wf-6r8g-63ch
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-64644"]
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
- Database Specific Severity
- MODERATE
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6a616bcd9c2644c7f80dbda9
Added to database: 07/23/2026, 01:18:05 UTC
Last enriched: 07/30/2026, 15:26:28 UTC
Last updated: 09/05/2026, 14:54:15 UTC
Views: 135
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