Vulnerability · Published Sep 1, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M
CVE-2026-84368joi: Prototype pollution via a `__proto__` language key in custom messages
Low 3.7
In plain English
A low-severity prototype pollution in joi from hapijs. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.4% (higher than 33% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.
Official description
joi is a schema description language and data validator for JavaScript. From 16.0.0 until 17.13.6 and 18.2.5, the @hapi/joi package through 17.1.1 and the successor joi package contain prototype pollution in lib/messages.js, where exports.compile() and exports.merge() reuse inherited objects for attacker-controlled language keys supplied through messages(), message(), prefs({ messages }), Joi.extend({ messages }), or rule({ message }). A language key named __proto__ writes properties onto Object.prototype, and constructor writes to the Object function's static properties. A consuming application that gates on the presence of an inherited property can take the wrong branch for every inspected object. The flaw is not reachable from data that joi validates and requires an application to feed untrusted input directly into schema-construction configuration. This issue is fixed in joi versions 17.13.6 and 18.2.5; no fixed @hapi/joi version is available.
Affected packages & fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | @hapi/joi | no fix listed | GHSA-6w3j-5fw6-r9vr |
| npm | joi | 17.13.6 | GHSA-6w3j-5fw6-r9vr |
| npm | joi | 18.2.5 | GHSA-6w3j-5fw6-r9vr |
Affected products (as reported)
Weakness: CWE-1321 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
References
- https://github.com/hapijs/joi/security/advisories/GHSA-6w3j-5fw6-r9vr x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/hapijs/joi/pull/3138 x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/hapijs/joi/pull/3139 x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/hapijs/joi/commit/8d0b808f3e874d28f9078f61b7742290989afb36 x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/hapijs/joi/commit/90d07571923c90e3432a328fc041d1cda03d30fa x_refsource_MISC