Vulnerability Description
Axios is a promise based HTTP client for the browser and Node.js. Prior to 0.32.0 and 1.16.0, axios exposes two read-side prototype-pollution gadgets. When Object.prototype is polluted by an upstream dependency in the same process (e.g. lodash _.merge / CVE-2018-16487), axios silently picks up the polluted values. (1) lib/utils.js line 406 builds merge()'s accumulator as result = {}, so result[targetKey] (line 414) walks Object.prototype and the polluted bucket's own keys are copied into the merged headers and ride out on the wire. (2) lib/core/mergeConfig.js line 26 builds the hasOwnProperty descriptor as a plain-object literal. Object.defineProperty reads descriptor.get/descriptor.set via the prototype chain, so a polluted Object.prototype.get or Object.prototype.set makes the call throw TypeError synchronously on every axios request. This vulnerability is fixed in 0.32.0 and 1.16.0.
CVSS Score
MEDIUM
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Axios | Axios | < 0.32.0 |
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-898c-q2cr-xwhgExploitVendor Advisory
- https://github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-898c-q2cr-xwhgExploitVendor Advisory
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-44490?
CVE-2026-44490 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.8 (MEDIUM). Axios is a promise based HTTP client for the browser and Node.js. Prior to 0.32.0 and 1.16.0, axios exposes two read-side prototype-pollution gadgets. When Object.prototype is polluted by an upstream ...
How severe is CVE-2026-44490?
CVE-2026-44490 has been rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 4.8/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-44490?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Axios Axios.