MEDIUM CVSS 5.3
Published: 2026-06-22

CVE-2026-53550

nodeca js-yaml Security Advisory (CVE-2026-53550)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
Seeking technical exploit breakdowns or verified PoC code for CVE-2026-53550?
🔬 Search Writeups & Exploit Archive →

CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2026-53550 impacting nodeca js-yaml. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 5.3 (MEDIUM).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
js-yaml is a JavaScript YAML parser and dumper. Prior to 4.2.0 and 3.15.0, 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 and 3.15.0.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
None (PR:N)
Unauthenticated execution
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
None (C:N)
No data confidentiality impact
Integrity
None (I:N)
No system modification impact
Availability
Low (A:L)
Partial service performance degradation

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product nodeca / js-yaml
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-407

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2026-53550 impacting nodeca js-yaml.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2026-53550.yaml
id: cve-2026-53550

info:
  name: nodeca js-yaml - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: medium
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2026-53550 affecting nodeca js-yaml.
    Evaluation: js-yaml is a JavaScript YAML parser and dumper. Prior to 4.2.0 and 3.15.0, a crafted YAML document can trigger algorithmic CPU exhaustion in js-yaml m...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2026-53550
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
    cvss-score: 5.3
    cve-id: CVE-2026-53550
    cwe-id: CWE-407
  tags: cve,cve-2026-53550,nodeca,js-yaml,medium

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "js-yaml"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2026-53550.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2026-53550
# Target: nodeca js-yaml | CVSS: 5.3 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2026-53550 (nodeca js-yaml)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against nodeca js-yaml scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2026-53550.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2026-53550
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install js-yaml 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade js-yaml 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update js-yaml

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i js-yaml 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i js-yaml

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

🔗 Verified Technical References

Authorities
  • No records filed in this category.
Distributions
  • No records filed in this category.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2026-53550 in nodeca js-yaml?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update nodeca js-yaml packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2026-53550?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2026-53550?

CVE-2026-53550 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.3 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
5.3
MEDIUM SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2026-53550
Weakness CWE-407
Vendor nodeca
Product js-yaml
Published 2026-06-22
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L