🚨 CVE-2026-40175 - Critical Vulnerability in Axios

Prototype Pollution Gadget → Remote Code Execution & Cloud Compromise

📢 Overview

Axios — one of the most popular HTTP clients for JavaScript (browser & Node.js) — contains a critical vulnerability prior to version 1.15.0.

A specific "gadget" attack chain allows attackers to escalate any prototype pollution (even from a third-party dependency) into:

• Remote Code Execution (RCE)
• Full Cloud Compromise (including bypassing AWS IMDSv2 to steal credentials)

CVSS Score: 10.0 (Critical)
Attack Vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges Needed: None
User Interaction: None

🛡️ Fixed In

✅ Axios v1.15.0 (and all newer versions)

Immediate Action Required

# Update to the latest secure version
npm install axios@latest

# or using yarn
yarn add axios@latest

# or using pnpm
pnpm update axios

Pro Tip: Always check your lockfile (package-lock.json or yarn.lock) and run npm audit after updating.

📋 Details

• CVE ID: CVE-2026-40175
• GitHub Advisory: GHSA-fvcv-3m26-pcqx
• Official Fix PR: #10660
• Release: v1.15.0

The vulnerability stems from unsafe handling in Axios that turns a relatively common prototype pollution primitive (from any dependency) into a powerful escalation vector — including header injection and unrestricted cloud metadata exfiltration.

🔍 Impact

This is especially dangerous in:

• Server-side Node.js applications
• Microservices running in the cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Any project with deep dependency trees

Even if your code doesn't directly cause prototype pollution, a vulnerable library elsewhere in your node_modules could be escalated via Axios.

🛠 How to Check If You're Affected

# See which version of axios you're using
npm ls axios

# Audit for vulnerabilities
npm audit | grep -i axios

Also scan your transitive dependencies.

📌 Recommendations

1. Update Axios immediately to >= 1.15.0
2. Review and pin dependencies where possible
3. Consider using tools like:
   • npm audit
   • dependabot / renovate
   • snyk or socket.dev for deeper supply-chain analysis
4. Monitor for any suspicious activity if you were on a vulnerable version for a while

📚 References

• NVD Entry
• Axios Security Advisory
• Axios Release v1.15.0