---
id: "CVE-2026-118778"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-118778"]
title: "node-forge: TLS client crash when server omits certificate message"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 5.9
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["javascript", "node-forge", "nodejs", "package"]
not_affected_if: ["no-tls-client-use", "uses-native-tls"]
published_at: "2026-10-29T19:17:20+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-29T19:26:47+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-29T19:27:31+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118778", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-29T19:26:47+00:00"}]
---

# node-forge: TLS client crash when server omits certificate message

node-forge is a JavaScript TLS implementation whose client checked the wrong property for a missing server certificate. A malicious TLS server or on-path peer can omit the Certificate message and crash the connection or the Node process.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- `npm ls node-forge` to list every installed copy and its version
- Check for `forge.tls.createConnection` in your code or dependencies that use TLS client mode

## Fix

- node-forge: move to `1.4.1` or later

## Timeline

- 2026-10-29T19:26:47+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118778

## From the sources

Forge (also called node-forge) is a native implementation of Transport Layer Security in JavaScript. Prior to 1.4.1, the affected implementation used forge.tls.createConnection(), c.session.serverCertificate, RSA key exchange to process the relevant input or security decision. node-forge's TLS client checked the wrong property when deciding whether a server certificate was missing. A malicious TLS server or on-path peer could omit the Certificate message and reach code that dereferenced the absent certificate, causing an uncaught exception and terminating the connection or process. This issue is fixed in version 1.4.1.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_