nats-io nats-server up to 2.11.13/2.12.4 null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in nats-io nats-server up to 2.11.13/2.12.4. It has been classified as problematic. This impacts an unknown function. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-29785. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in nats-io nats-server up to 2.11.13/2.12.4. This affects an unknown code block. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

NATS-Server is a High-Performance server for NATS.io, a cloud and edge native messaging system. Prior to versions 2.11.14 and 2.12.5, if the nats-server has the "leafnode" configuration enabled (not default), then anyone who can connect can crash the nats-server by triggering a panic. This happens pre-authentication and requires that compression be enabled (which it is, by default, when leafnodes are used). Versions 2.11.14 and 2.12.5 contain a fix. As a workaround, disable compression on the leafnode port.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-29785 since 03/04/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 303850 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-29785), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 2.11.14 or 2.12.5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch a1488de6f2ba6e666aef0f9cce0016f7f167d6a8 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (303850). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.5
CNA Vector (GitHub_M): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 303850
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-29785

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: nats-server 2.11.14/2.12.5
Patch: a1488de6f2ba6e666aef0f9cce0016f7f167d6a8

Timelineinfo

03/04/2026 CVE reserved
03/25/2026 +21 days Advisory disclosed
03/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/01/2026 +7 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-52jh-2xxh-pwh6
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-29785 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-29785
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-353505

Entryinfo

Created: 03/25/2026 23:02
Updated: 04/01/2026 13:04
Changes: 03/25/2026 23:02 (66), 03/26/2026 21:40 (2), 04/01/2026 13:04 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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