Node.js Security Update: Weak Randomness and HTTP Request Smuggling

nodejs Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

18/10/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

Yes i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

ALSA-2022:6963: Important: nodejs security update. Affects nodejs versions < 1:16.17.1-1.el9_0. Fixed in 1:16.17.1-1.el9_0. How to fix ↓

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Background

Node.js is a software development platform for building fast and scalable network applications in the JavaScript programming language. It provides a runtime environment that allows developers to execute JavaScript code outside of a web browser. Node.js is widely used for server-side and networking applications due to its event-driven architecture and non-blocking I/O model.

Vulnerability Detail

The Node.js security update addresses two important vulnerabilities:

Weak Randomness in WebCrypto Keygen (CVE-2022-35255): This vulnerability could allow an attacker to predict cryptographic keys generated by the WebCrypto API due to weak randomness. This could lead to the compromise of sensitive data or unauthorized access to encrypted communications.
HTTP Request Smuggling due to Incorrect Parsing of Header Fields (CVE-2022-35256): This vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate HTTP requests by exploiting a flaw in the parsing of header fields. By sending specially crafted requests, an attacker could bypass security controls, inject malicious content, or perform other unauthorized actions.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1:16.17.1-1.el9_0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo dnf update nodejs

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Conclusion

The Node.js security update addresses two important vulnerabilities related to weak randomness in WebCrypto key generation and incorrect parsing of header fields in HTTP requests. It is crucial to update the Node.js package to version 16.17.1 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

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FAQ

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a software development platform for building fast and scalable network applications in JavaScript.

What is the impact of the weak randomness vulnerability?

The weak randomness vulnerability in Node.js could allow an attacker to predict cryptographic keys, potentially compromising the security of encrypted communications.

How can I check if my Node.js application is affected by these vulnerabilities?

You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by these vulnerabilities. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to the playground and it will alert you in real-time if any open-source vulnerabilities are found.