Description
A flaw in Node.js's permission model allows a file's access and modification timestamps to be changed via `futimes()` even when the process has only read permissions. Unlike `utimes()`, `futimes()` does not apply the expected write-permission checks, which means file metadata can be modified in read-only directories. This behavior could be used to alter timestamps in ways that obscure activity, reducing the reliability of logs. This vulnerability affects users of the permission model on Node.js v20, v22, v24, and v25.
Scores
CVSS v3
5.3
EPSS
0.0001
EPSS Percentile
1.1%
Attack Vector
NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
CISA SSVC
Vulnrichment
Exploitation
none
Automatable
no
Technical Impact
partial
Details
CWE
CWE-276
Status
published
Products (1)
nodejs/node.js
20.0.0 - 20.20.0
Published
Jan 20, 2026
Tracked Since
Feb 18, 2026