Prototype Pollution in Hapijs Joi

CVE-2026-84368

joi is a schema description language and data validator for JavaScript. From 16.0.0 until 17.13.6 and 18.2.5, the @hapi/joi package through 17.1.1 and the successor joi package contain prototype pollution in lib/messages.js, where exports.compile() and exports.merge() reuse inherited objects for attacker-controlled language keys supplied through messages(), message(), prefs({ messages }), Joi.extend({ messages }), or rule({ message }). A language key named __proto__ writes properties onto Object.prototype, and constructor writes to the Object function's static properties. A consuming application that gates on the presence of an inherited property can take the wrong branch for every inspected object. The flaw is not reachable from data that joi validates and requires an application to feed untrusted input directly into schema-construction configuration. This issue is fixed in joi versions 17.13.6 and 18.2.5; no fixed @hapi/joi version is available.

Vulnerability class: Prototype Pollution

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 3.7 (Low). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N.

Affected products

  • Hapijs Joi — versions >= 16.0.0, <= 17.1.1, >= 17.2.0, < 17.13.6, >= 18.0.0, < 18.2.5

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-84368?
CVE-2026-84368 is a low-severity vulnerability in Hapijs Joi, classified under Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes (Prototype Pollution). CVSS score: 3.7/10. Published 2026-09-01.
How severe is CVE-2026-84368?
Low severity. CVSS v3 base score is 3.7 out of 10.