CVE-2026-69152: The brace-expansion library generates arbitrary strings containing a common prefix and suffix

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-69152 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting brace-expansion. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The brace-expansion library generates arbitrary strings containing a common prefix and suffix. Prior to 1.1.18, 2.1.4, 3.0.6, and 5.0.9, expand() does not apply maxLength while constructing comma-alternative intermediate arrays or padded sequences, allowing attacker-controlled input to exhaust memory or block the event loop. The fix for CVE-2026-14257 is bypassed by the vulnerability. This issue is fixed in versions 1.1.18, 2.1.4, 3.0.6, and 5.0.

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	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400, CWE-770
Published	2026-08-03
Last modified	2026-10-23

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: juliangruber

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-03 17:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-23 21:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

juliangruber brace-expansion UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.1.18 · >= 2.0.0 and < 2.1.4 · >= 3.0.0 and < 3.0.6 · >= 4.0.0 and < 5.0.9

Fixed in: 1.1.18, 2.1.4, 3.0.6, 5.0.9

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

npm ls brace-expansion

2. UPGRADE to 1.1.18

npm install brace-expansion@">=1.1.18"

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0

npm view brace-expansion versions npm install brace-expansion@"<2.0.0"

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 · brace-expansion · FIXED · 1.1.18 · vulnerable: < 1.1.18 · source

npm install brace-expansion@">=1.1.18" npm ls brace-expansion

Fedora 46 · python-fontconfig · FIXED · 0.6.3-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-f92ca8b01f · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-f92ca8b01f

Fedora ELN · valgrind · FIXED · 3.28.0-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-c593ef1d15 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-c593ef1d15

Debian 12 · node-brace-expansion · NOT AFFECTED

Debian 13 · node-brace-expansion · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 10 · nodejs-nodemon · FIXED · nodejs-nodemon-3.1.14-3.el10_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:52841 rpm -q nodejs-nodemon

RHEL 10 · nodejs22 · FIXED · nodejs22-22.23.1-6.el10_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:55541 rpm -q nodejs22

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 · nodejs24 · FIXED · nodejs24-24.18.0-5.el10_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:58819 rpm -q nodejs24

RHEL 10.0 Extended Update Support · nodejs-nodemon · FIXED · nodejs-nodemon-3.1.14-3.el10_0

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2026:61374 rpm -q nodejs-nodemon

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.

References

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