Exploit for CVE-2026-40175

## https://sploitus.com/exploit?id=D7A9E901-A077-51DA-9D6E-ADA08E39F745
# 🚨 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

```bash
# 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](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40175)
- **GitHub Advisory**: [GHSA-fvcv-3m26-pcqx](https://github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-fvcv-3m26-pcqx)
- **Official Fix PR**: [#10660](https://github.com/axios/axios/pull/10660)
- **Release**: [v1.15.0](https://github.com/axios/axios/releases/tag/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

```bash
# 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](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40175)
- [Axios Security Advisory](https://github.com/axios/axios/security/advisories/GHSA-fvcv-3m26-pcqx)
- [Axios Release v1.15.0](https://github.com/axios/axios/releases/tag/v1.15.0)

---



**Stay secure. Update early. Update often.** 🔒

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