CVE-2026-71498 in node-re2
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2026
node-re2 provides RE2 regular expression bindings for Node.js. Prior to version 1.26.1, passing a Buffer whose final bytes form a truncated (incomplete) multi-byte UTF-8 sequence could cause the native binding to read past the end of the allocated buffer while attempting to decode the final, incomplete code point. This could result in an out-of-bounds read and potential disclosure of adjacent memory contents. This issue is fixed in version 1.26.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2026
The node-re2 library serves as a critical component in Node.js applications that require high-performance regular expression processing through the RE2 engine. This native binding enables developers to leverage RE2's efficient parsing capabilities while maintaining compatibility with JavaScript's string handling mechanisms. The vulnerability under discussion affects the library's buffer management during UTF-8 decoding operations, specifically when processing input data that contains incomplete multi-byte sequences.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of Buffer objects where the final bytes constitute a truncated UTF-8 sequence. When the native binding attempts to decode such incomplete code points, it fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before performing memory access operations. This oversight allows the code to read beyond the allocated buffer limits, creating an out-of-bounds read condition that can expose adjacent memory contents to unauthorized access.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129 and CWE-787 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing issues related to insufficient bound checking and out-of-bounds reads. The operational impact extends beyond simple memory disclosure, as attackers could potentially extract sensitive information from adjacent memory regions including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or application data that happens to reside in nearby memory locations. The nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly concerning in environments where node-re2 processes untrusted input from external sources such as user data, API requests, or file uploads.
The security implications are further amplified when considering ATT&CK framework mappings, specifically under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, though the primary concern here is information disclosure rather than execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer over-read pattern that can be exploited in various attack scenarios including data exfiltration, credential harvesting, or system reconnaissance. Organizations utilizing node-re2 in production environments should prioritize immediate patching to version 1.26.1 or later, as this update implements proper bounds checking and UTF-8 validation mechanisms. Additional mitigations include input sanitization, strict buffer boundary validation, and monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.