GitHub Advisoryadvisory · npm

GHSA-6w3j-5fw6-r9vr joi: Prototype pollution via a `__proto__` language key in custom messages

LOW Published 2026-09-08 Modified 2026-09-08 Official page ↗
Aliases
CVE-2026-84368
Ecosystem
npm
Packages
joi, @hapi/joi
Severity
Low
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Weaknesses
CWE-1321
Reviewed
2026-09-08

Affected packages

• npm joi: >= 17.2.0, < 17.13.6 → fixed in 17.13.6 • npm @hapi/joi: >= 16.0.0, <= 17.1.1 (no fix yet) • npm joi: >= 18.0.0, < 18.2.5 → fixed in 18.2.5

Description

Impact An application that passes attacker-controlled data into joi's custom message configuration (`messages()`, `message()`, `prefs({ messages })`, `Joi.extend({ messages })` or `rule({ message })`) lets the attacker write properties onto `Object.prototype`, where every object in the process then inherits them. A key named `__proto__` was treated as a language name, and the code reused the object it found at that key, which resolves to the prototype rather than to a new own property; a key named `constructor` did the same to the `Object` function's statics. A consuming application that gates on the mere presence of a property (`if (user.isAdmin)`) can be made to take the wrong branch for every object it inspects. This is not reachable from data that joi validates. Custom messages are schema-construction configuration, normally written by the application developer. Exploitation therefore requires an application that feeds untrusted input straight into schema construction. Patches Upgrade to version 18.2.5 or 17.13.6. Workarounds Do not pass untrusted input into `messages()`, `message()`, `prefs({ messages })`, `Joi.extend({ messages })` or `rule({ message })`. Or validate that they don't contain any `__proto__` or `constructor` property.

Related

Alias · CVE (1)

  • CVE-2026-84368 joi is a schema description language and data validator for JavaScript. vulnerability

Weakness · CWE (1)

  • CWE-1321 Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes weakness

References