Lucene search
K

Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-21713

🗓️ 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00Reported by TenableType 
nessus
 nessus
🔗 www.tenable.com

Linux or Unix hosts with unpatched Node.js risk HMAC timing attack from nonconstant-time comparison.

Related
Refs
Code
#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80900
##
# (C) Tenable, Inc.
##

include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(303615);
  script_version("1.12");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2026/05/25");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2026-21713");

  script_name(english:"Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-21713");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed with a vulnerability that the vendor indicates will not be
patched.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed that are impacted by a vulnerability without a vendor supplied
patch available.

  - A flaw in Node.js HMAC verification uses a non-constant-time comparison when validating user-provided
    signatures, potentially leaking timing information proportional to the number of matching bytes. Under
    certain threat models where high-resolution timing measurements are possible, this behavior could be
    exploited as a timing oracle to infer HMAC values. Node.js already provides timing-safe comparison
    primitives used elsewhere in the codebase, indicating this is an oversight rather than an intentional
    design decision. This vulnerability affects **20.x, 22.x, 24.x, and 25.x**. (CVE-2026-21713)

Note that Nessus relies on the presence of the package as reported by the vendor.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2026-21713");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-21713");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"There is no known solution at this time.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"agent", value:"unix");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:U/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:U/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2026-21713");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vendor_unpatched", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2026/03/24");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2026/03/25");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:22.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:24.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:25.10");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:centos:centos:8");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:nodejs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-devel");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-docs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-full-i18n");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-libs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-nodemon");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-npm");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-packaging");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs-packaging-bundler");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:nodejs22");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:npm");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:v8-12.4-devel");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:centos:centos:v8-13.6-devel");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-devel");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-docs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-full-i18n");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-libs");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-nodemon");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-npm");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-packaging");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs-packaging-bundler");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:nodejs22");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:npm");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:v8-12.4-devel");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:v8-13.6-devel");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Misc.");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2026 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info2.nasl", "set_linux_os_id.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/cpu", "Host/local_checks_enabled", "global_settings/vendor_unpatched", "Host/OS/identifier");
  script_require_ports("Host/OS/CentOS Linux-8", "Host/OS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux-10", "Host/OS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux-8", "Host/OS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux-9", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-14.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-16.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-18.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-20.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-22.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-24.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-25.10");

  exit(0);
}

if (!get_kb_item("global_settings/vendor_unpatched")) exit(0, "Unpatched Vulnerabilities Detection not active.");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (empty_or_null(get_one_kb_item("Host/CentOS/rpm-list")) && empty_or_null(get_one_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) && empty_or_null(get_one_kb_item("Host/RedHat/rpm-list"))) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);

include('linux_unpatched.inc');

var distro_constraints_array = {
  "Ubuntu Linux-14.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "14.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-16.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "16.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-18.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "18.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-20.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "20.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-22.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "22.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-24.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "24.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-25.10": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "25.10",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Red Hat Enterprise Linux-10": {
    "package_manager": "rpm-list",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "10",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-devel"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-docs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-full-i18n"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-libs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-npm"},
          {"reference": "nodejs22"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "CentOS Linux-8": {
    "package_manager": "rpm-list",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "8",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-devel"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-docs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-full-i18n"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-libs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-nodemon"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-packaging"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-packaging-bundler"},
          {"reference": "npm"},
          {"reference": "v8-12.4-devel"},
          {"reference": "v8-13.6-devel"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Red Hat Enterprise Linux-8": {
    "package_manager": "rpm-list",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "8",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-devel"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-docs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-full-i18n"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-libs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-nodemon"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-packaging"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-packaging-bundler"},
          {"reference": "npm"},
          {"reference": "v8-12.4-devel"},
          {"reference": "v8-13.6-devel"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Red Hat Enterprise Linux-9": {
    "package_manager": "rpm-list",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "9",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "nodejs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-docs"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-full-i18n"},
          {"reference": "nodejs-libs"},
          {"reference": "npm"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
};

var distro_constraints_values = linux_unpatched::get_distro_constraints(distro_constraints_arr:distro_constraints_array);
if (empty_or_null(distro_constraints_values)) audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
var report = linux_unpatched::check_unpatched_constraints(distro_constraints_values:distro_constraints_values);

if (!empty_or_null(report))
{
  security_report_v4(
      port       : 0,
      severity   : SECURITY_WARNING,
      extra      : report
  );
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
}

Data

Build on a solid foundation with Vulners data

We provide the essential building blocks for cybersecurity solutions with comprehensive, structured, and constantly updated vulnerability and exploits data

Api

Power your application with Vulners API

The Vulners REST API offers reliable, high-performance access to vulnerability intelligence, with 99.9% SLA uptime and CDN-backed data delivery for seamless global access

App

Assess and manage vulnerabilities with Vulners tools

Built on top of Vulners' database and SDK, end-user solutions give security professionals and developers lightweight and powerful tools for vulnerability remediation

25 May 2026 00:00Current
6.8Medium risk
Vulners AI Score6.8
CVSS 35.9
EPSS0.00012
SSVC
0