js-yaml: Quadratic-complexity DoS in merge key handling via repeated aliases

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Summary

CVECVE-2026-53550
StatePUBLISHED
AssignerGitHub_M
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2026-06-22 16:16:38 UTC
Updated2026-06-22 16:16:38 UTC
Descriptionjs-yaml is a JavaScript YAML parser and dumper. Prior to 4.2.0, a crafted YAML document can trigger algorithmic CPU exhaustion in js-yaml merge-key processing (<<) by repeating the same alias many times in a merge sequence. This causes quadratic parse-time behavior relative to input size and can block a Node.js worker/event loop for seconds with a relatively small payload (tens of KB), resulting in denial of service. The issue is in merge handling inside lib/loader.js. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.2.0.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 5.3 MEDIUM from [email protected]

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

Problem Types: CWE-407 | CWE-407 CWE-407: Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity

VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1[email protected]Secondary5.3MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
3.1CNADECLARED5.3MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
Low

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Nodeca Js-yaml affected < 4.2.0 Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
github.com/nodeca/js-yaml/security/advisories/GHSA-h67p-54hq-rp68 [email protected] github.com
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