CVE-2026-33896

HIGH

Forge has a basicConstraints bypass in its certificate chain verification (RFC 5280 violation)

Title source: cna
STIX 2.1

Description

Forge (also called `node-forge`) is a native implementation of Transport Layer Security in JavaScript. Prior to version 1.4.0, `pki.verifyCertificateChain()` does not enforce RFC 5280 basicConstraints requirements when an intermediate certificate lacks both the `basicConstraints` and `keyUsage` extensions. This allows any leaf certificate (without these extensions) to act as a CA and sign other certificates, which node-forge will accept as valid. Version 1.4.0 patches the issue.

References (2)

Scores

CVSS v3 7.4
EPSS 0.0002
EPSS Percentile 6.8%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-295
Status published
Products (3)
digitalbazaar/forge < 1.3.3
digitalbazaar/forge < 1.4.0
npm/node-forge 0 - 1.4.0npm
Published Mar 27, 2026
Tracked Since Mar 29, 2026