CVE-2026-44291: exploitation status and patch state

CVE-2026-44291 · CVSS 8.1 HIGH · EPSS 1%

protobufjs compiles protobuf definitions into JavaScript (JS) functions. Prior to 7.5.6 and 8.0.2, protobufjs used plain objects with inherited prototypes for internal type lookup tables used by generated encode and decode functions. If Object.prototype had already been polluted, those lookup tables could resolve attacker-controlled inherited properties as valid protobuf type information. This could cause attacker-controlled strings to be emitted into generated JavaScript code. This vulnerability is fixed in 7.5.6 and 8.0.2.

Is CVE-2026-44291 exploited?

• Not in the CISA KEV catalog.
• EPSS puts exploitation in the next 30 days at 1%.
• Public exploit code: none found in monitored sources.

Which products and versions are affected?

No affected package list recorded here yet.

Is there a patch?

No patch identifier recorded here yet.

What PlainSec published about CVE-2026-44291

• Transitive protobuf.js Pulls Expand RCE Exposure (2026-06-11)

Primary sources

• NVD record

What this record does not say

• No affected package data.
• No patch identifier.

KEV and EPSS are re-checked daily. Record last updated 2026-08-11.