CVE-2026-21716

low-risk
Published 2026-03-30

An incomplete fix for CVE-2024-36137 leaves `FileHandle.chmod()` and `FileHandle.chown()` in the promises API without the required permission checks, while their callback-based equivalents (`fs.fchmod()`, `fs.fchown()`) were correctly patched. As a result, code running under `--permission` with restricted `--allow-fs-write` can still use promise-based `FileHandle` methods to modify file permissions and ownership on already-open file descriptors, bypassing the intended write restrictions. This vulnerability affects **20.x, 22.x, 24.x, and 25.x** processes using the Permission Model where `--allow-fs-write` is intentionally restricted.

Do I need to act?

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0.00% chance of exploitation
EPSS score — low exploit probability
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Not on CISA KEV list
No confirmed active exploitation reported to CISA
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Patch status unknown
Check vendor advisories for fix availability and mitigation guidance
3
CVSS 3.3/10 Low
LOCAL / LOW complexity
18
/ 100
low-risk
Severity 13/34 · Low
Exploitability 0/34 · Minimal
Exposure 5/34 · Minimal