CVE-2026-48779: ws is an open source WebSocket client and server for Node.js

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-48779 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ws. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ws is an open source WebSocket client and server for Node.js. All versions from 1.1.0 up to (but not including) 5.2.5, from 6.0.0 up to 6.2.4, from 7.0.0 up to 7.5.11, and from 8.0.0 up to 8.21.0 are affected by a memory exhaustion DoS vulnerability. A peer can send a high volume of exceptionally small fragments and data chunks, with modest network traffic, to force the remote peer into allocating and holding structural wrappers that consume far

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 27%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400, CWE-770, CWE-1050
Published	2026-06-17
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: ws project

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-17 13:20 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-26 12:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ws project ws UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.1.0 and < 5.2.5 · >= 6.0.0 and < 6.2.4 · >= 7.0.0 and < 7.5.11 · >= 8.0.0 and < 8.21.0

Fixed in: 5.2.5, 6.2.4, 7.5.11, 8.21.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.1.0

1. Check installed version

npm ls ws

2. UPGRADE to 5.2.5

npm install ws@">=5.2.5"

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.1.0

npm view ws versions npm install ws@"<1.1.0"

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

npm · ws · FIXED · 5.2.5 · vulnerable: >= 1.1.0, < 5.2.5 · source

npm install ws@">=5.2.5" npm ls ws

Fedora ELN · edk2 · FIXED · 20260812-12.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-e316b6370a · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-e316b6370a

Fedora 46 · perl-Mojo-DOM58 · FIXED · 3.003-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-d5412af3de · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-d5412af3de

Debian 12 · node-ws · NO FIX YET

Debian 13 · node-ws · NO FIX YET

RHEL 10 · rh-podman-desktop · FIXED · rh-podman-desktop-1.1.2-1.el10_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:57590 rpm -q rh-podman-desktop

RHEL 10 · dotnet8.0 · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 10 · dotnet9.0 · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 10 · pcs · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 10 · rust · NOT AFFECTED

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: github.com/websockets/ws/security/advisories/GHSA-96hv-2xvq-fx4p

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-48779?

ws: upgrade to 5.2.5, 6.2.4, 7.5.11, 8.21.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-48779 being exploited?

CVE-2026-48779 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-48779 affect?

CVE-2026-48779 affects ws. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). ws is an open source WebSocket client and server for Node.js. All versions from 1.1.0 up to (but not including) 5.2.5, from 6.0.0 up to 6.2.4, from 7.0.0 up to 7.5.11, and from 8.0.0 up to 8.21.0 are affected by a memory exhaustion DoS vuln

How urgent is CVE-2026-48779?

Priority 54/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Node.js vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-45736 MEDIUM 4.4 UPGRADE ws is an open source WebSocket client and server for Node.js

References

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