CVE-2026-27903: Minimatch Combinatorial Backtracking Vulnerability Leading to ReDoS

minimatch Updated 27 Feb 2026

Summary

26/02/2026

Disclosed on

CVE-2026-27903

CVE

Yes i

Fix available

High

Severity

7.5

CVSS Score

CVE-2026-27903: minimatch has ReDoS: matchOne() combinatorial backtracking via multiple non-adjacent GLOBSTAR segments. Affects minimatch across 8 version ranges.

< 3.1.3 >= 4.0.0, < 4.2.5 >= 5.0.0, < 5.1.8 >= 6.0.0, < 6.2.2 >= 7.0.0, < 7.4.8 >= 8.0.0, < 8.0.6 >= 9.0.0, < 9.0.7 >= 10.0.0, < 10.2.3

Fixed in 8 releases; the minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

minimatch · ghsa

The same CVE-2026-27903 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

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Background

Minimatch is a popular npm package used for matching file paths against glob patterns. It is widely utilized in various build tools and task runners, such as ESLint and Webpack, due to its efficiency in handling complex file matching scenarios. However, it is susceptible to a significant vulnerability that can lead to performance degradation under specific conditions.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in Minimatch arises from the matchOne() function, which performs unbounded recursive backtracking when a glob pattern contains multiple non-adjacent GLOBSTAR segments. This results in a combinatorial explosion of recursive calls, leading to excessive processing time for certain inputs. The time complexity can reach O(C(n, k)), where n is the number of path segments and k is the number of globstars. As a result, an attacker can craft patterns that stall the Node.js event loop for several seconds, effectively causing denial of service. This vulnerability affects any application that allows user-supplied glob patterns, making it a critical concern for developers.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 10.2.6 as of 22 Oct 2026

npm install minimatch@10.2.6

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you can't move to the latest

The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.

< 3.1.3 3.1.3
```
npm install minimatch@3.1.3
```
>= 4.0.0, < 4.2.5 4.2.5
```
npm install minimatch@4.2.5
```
>= 5.0.0, < 5.1.8 5.1.8
```
npm install minimatch@5.1.8
```
>= 6.0.0, < 6.2.2 6.2.2
```
npm install minimatch@6.2.2
```
>= 7.0.0, < 7.4.8 7.4.8
```
npm install minimatch@7.4.8
```
>= 8.0.0, < 8.0.6 8.0.6
```
npm install minimatch@8.0.6
```

Show all 8 release lines

>= 9.0.0, < 9.0.7 9.0.7
```
npm install minimatch@9.0.7
```
>= 10.0.0, < 10.2.3 10.2.3
```
npm install minimatch@10.2.3
```

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Workaround

As a temporary measure, avoid using glob patterns with multiple non-adjacent GLOBSTAR segments. If possible, validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent the inclusion of malicious patterns that could exploit this vulnerability.

Conclusion

The Minimatch package contains a critical vulnerability (CVE-2026-27903) that can lead to denial of service through combinatorial backtracking. It is essential for developers to update to the latest patched version to protect their applications from potential exploitation.

See every vulnerability recorded for minimatch →

FAQ

What is the CVSS score of this vulnerability?

The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.

Which versions of Minimatch are affected?

Versions of Minimatch from 0.0.0 to 10.2.2 are affected by this vulnerability.

How can I check if my application is affected?

You can use Vulert to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.

What are the potential impacts of this vulnerability?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to stall the Node.js event loop, leading to denial of service for applications that rely on Minimatch for file path matching.

Is there a way to mitigate the risk without updating?

While updating is the best solution, you can mitigate risk by avoiding complex glob patterns with multiple GLOBSTAR segments and validating user inputs.